Playing tonight’s sold out show at Clwb Ifor Bach are two of hardcore’s current biggest bands, Cancer Bats and Trash Talk. Oh, and some guys called Vera Cruz.
When watching Vera Cruz tonight, you get the feeling that nobody has turned up to see them, except for one punter in the front row who doesn’t stop headbanging for their entire set. Besides this kid and a few polite headbangs/hands in the air claps from others here and there, they really don’t get any movement for their whole set despite lead singer Flavian’s (Yes, they’re French) requests claiming they “might as well circle pit”. Bet he was a bit pissed off when he saw Cancer Bats and Trash Talk getting a circle pit just by asking. Aside from this, they get a very good reception considering they’re the first band on, getting applause that doesn’t seem like it’s forced. They’re also competent musicians, with vocals that sound heavily influenced by tonight’s headliners. For an opening band, they get received very positively. I doubt this will be their last UK tour if this is how they’ve been received the entire tour.
Up next are hardcore’s current buzz band Trash Talk, a band who I’ve had very good times watching live previously. This is their second time in Clwb Ifor Bach in six months, after previously playing here in April with Rolo Tomassi. Opening up with the sludgy Hash Wednesday, madman vocalist Lee Spielman is nowhere to be seen as bassist Spencer Pollard roars out some stuff about being the body of Christ. No need to worry though, as he charges on to blast through Babylon, CA which ignites tonight’s first mosh pit. Lee is up to his usual self tonight, bouncing off the sides of the mosh pit and hanging upside down from the ceiling. He does not however, headbutt his mic like he has done on numerous occasions at past shows. He may sound like a psycho, but he constantly asks the crowd how they’re doing and talks about their previous show here. The songs are just as expected, short blasts of rage gobbled up by the eager people at the front. But you’re not safe if you’re at the back either, with a wall of death during Walking Disease stealing most of the space, forcing those who don’t want to get clattered by some randomer into the walls. All in all, yet another excellent live set from Sacramento’s favourite sons, who cement their reputation as one of the world’s best live bands right now.
Cancer Bats have a tough task to follow, coming on after Trash Talk. They blaze through an opening one two three blast featuring We Are The Undead and Trust No-one. The setlist from Cancer Bats tonight is very balanced between all 3 albums, must be because Liam Cormier confesses he’s in love with his own band but really it shows how strong their back catalogue is. Like Lee of Trash Talk, he’s in a very friendly mood tonight, even attempting to say he likes coffee in Welsh. The songs are all played tonight with rousing confidence, guitarist Scott Middelton not missing a note, drummer Mike Peters not missing a beat and bassist Jay Schwarzer doing his thing on bass and supporting Liam on vocals very well. Just because Cancer Bats are hardcore, doesn’t mean all they can do for a crowd is get them moshing. Lucifier’s Rocking Chair sees fists pumping and people bouncing like it’s a rave. You can guess which song got the strongest reception tonight. Yep, their cover of Beastie Boys classic Sabotage, which gets everybody singing along. If this is all making you think you’d run out of energy at this gig don’t worry, they slow it down for a few minutes during Raised Right, giving the pitters some time to catch their breath. As soon as this finishes, after a quick mock of people who might’ve been on Twitter during that song, the chaos resumes with Sorcerer. Closing out with Hail Destroyer, the last chance to rock with the Bats tonight is seized by everyone. Earlier on tonight, Liam said how much Cancer Bats love playing here in Cardiff; well we love having your band here sir.
