Kinesis - London Highbury Garage - 18/10/02
4/5
By: Toby L
Set-List: 'Xyklon B', '... And They Obey', 'This Dead End', 'Conveyor Belt Destruction', 'Black Holes', 'Bloodstained Lips', 'Everything Destroys Itself', 'Billboard Beauty'.
Evolution is a powerful thing; you can rarely spot substantial changes during its growth, often, on a personal basis, can never contribute majorly to its occurrence - yet all are able to see the fruits of its incidence.
Let's take Kinesis as a fine example of such a process. The last time rockfeedback was present to see them live for review-purposes was at the London Monarch a year ago; at the time of performance, they were unsigned, possessed a bass-guitar that was gaffa-taped to its strap in order for it to be usable, and featured members still polishing off their A-level courses. But, despite the hold-backs, they were sensational: tuneful, abrasive and unrelenting.
Fast-forward to October 2002, and here they are again - a record-deal in-hand with none other than the continually-escalating Independiente, a camera-crew standing to their left throughout the performance, filming their every move, and - oh - an arena-date due in December with their own heroes, Manic Street Preachers. A mere 'success-story' could be classed an understatement, though - thrillingly - these are still early days. For, with just two singles released to date, '... And They Obey' and 'Everything Destroys Itself', both executed this evening with the cocksure stance and ragged assuredness that incidentally marked the Manics' card as seriously hot-property in the early stages of their inception, there's at least a couple more years 'til these boys headline Reading.
However, before such a happening, we're all in for a treat. Tonight in the Highbury Garage, the Bolton foursome immediately lock attention and refuse to let go, charging into the inaugural blast of 'Zyklon B' with so much uncontrollably zealous, fearless energy that as guitarist Conor grapples with his instrument (so to speak) amidst the floor of the performance-space, it's done so with all the natural grace and scattered skill of the legends. Even the messy shudder itself of 'This Dead End' hints to towering, stadium-greatness - despite the fact that the piece is pulverised from a full, faithful airing, partly due to member Tom Marshall unplugging frontman Mike Bromley's guitar-pedals during a furious, violent spell of movement. At this point, notably, it seems the only person on-stage that hasn't quite lost his cool is rampant drummer Neil Chow.
But it ain't all fireworks and raspy explosions of calculated sound - these boys understand that with being granted the opportunity of experimentation, at least give da kidz the tunes as well - and these arrive within the turgid, straightforward clattering sustenance of 'Bloodstained Lips' and sonically-charging, pulse-racing brutality of 'Black Holes'. And the more said about the clamouring boldness of 'Conveyor Belt Destruction', the better, only a final storm-through of new single 'Billboard Beauty' managing to top proceedings in quite such a loud, crossover fashion... Ouch, our ears.
So - we're agreed: evolution is very much a powerful thing. Yet, then again, so are Kinesis - and there's still a wealth of undiscovered beauty left on their quickly-advancing horizon. Bands beginning with 'The' in their titles - be very afraid.
Artists in this article: Kinesis
Your Feedback
Login to post your comment