The Howl And The Hum, The Letrasets, Beaten John Lip: EBGBs, Liverpool

The Howl and the Hum

The Howl and the Hum found the perfect venue for their gloom rock, down in the basement of EBGBs as Getintothis’ Will Truby reports.

It’s odd to see EBGBs so empty. In the minutes leading up to kickoff, there could only be about 6 loiterers.

Beaten John Lip open to 10 punters and finish with just about 40; the sign of a strong opener.

The four piece have heaps of northern soul and grit, like an early Arctic Monkeys if they really leaned into their Strokes influences.

They have a shambolic Palma Violets-esque charm to them, with the odd chord and more going amiss here and there, but with bags of catchy melodies, solid riffs and thundering drums, the indie rock four piece certainly bring the noise.

Things take a turn for the dreamier once local boys The Letrasets take the stage, heralded by jangly guitars and swirling distorted drones. Each song oozes with indie apathy, taking the jangle-pop that is so all the rage nowadays, but turning the darkness up a couple of notches. With earworms aplenty and dancey vibes, these newcomers are going to go far.

We’re then treated to a set that proves that The Howl and The Hum are one of indie’s most underrated bands around. Ghostly, luminous guitar licks slice through crisp chords, while monstrous Colin Greenwood basslines thunder alongside cool, cavernous drums. They’re truly a band that have it all; oil-slick groove, hair-down rock, emotional ballads. The York four piece have some strong Alt-J vibes but are waaaay sexier with it.

The swagger and cool of I Wish I Was A Shark is a particular highlight, setting up a sultry groove before the ominous twist of the guitar cuts through towards the end. New song Don’t Shoot The Storm is more uptempo, but still spooky.

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One thing that really sets THATH apart from their peers is that the topics of the songs are INTERESTING; none of your classic boy meets girl beneath silvery moon, things subsequently fall apart. We are treated to songs about disappointing Tesco lager, shooting guns into storms, and the Fiat Punto.

With a set that brings a song for everyone, and the execution of a much senior band, The Howl and The Hum are definitely one to watch this year.

:: LIVERPOOL TONIGHT ::

splish splash here we come to the city of Echo & The Bunnymen and er nope no one else, come find shelter from the storm at EBGBS, doors at 7.30@IVW_UK @ebgbsliverpool @ILoveLiveEvents @Harvest_Sun pic.twitter.com/KNpZ6JhNfC

— The Howl & The Hum (@HowlandHum) January 29, 2019