False Advertising, Caveparty, Crapsons: Craft Taproom, Liverpool.

False Advertising.

False Advertising topped a bill of serious quality at Craft Taproom and Getintothis’ Andy Sunley was there for less than the price of a pint as a donation to a good cause.

The plight of live venues in this city has been a concern for some time.

Threats from property developers who are concerned solely with profit, noise complaints and poor attendances make for a harsh environment for anywhere wishing to provide a place for musicians to ply their trade. Independent Venue Week provides platform for such locales to promote themselves and show what they can offer. And it is always heartening to see a venue not previously know for hosting gigs take their first steps.

With the Smithdown Road scene showing welcome signs of growth, as written about here by Getintothis’ Paul Fitzgerald, anyone who supports live music will be happy to see the list of shows coming soon at Craft Taproom.

Not only is tonight’s bill of good quality, it is also very reasonably priced. Punters only paid two quid on the door and that went to The Whitechapel Centre.

So, for the price of a half a pint of the nice beer they serve here, you support live music and a very good cause. It is enough to make you feel warm inside. And in this weather that is not to be sniffed at.

First up where Birkenhead punk duo Crapsons who have bought a small but seemingly dedicated following with them. At one point they ask the audience to shout out names of breakfast cereals and initiate a singalong about shopping trolleys. The highlight of their thirty minute set is singer Mike taking the microphone onto the floor and inviting a fan to join him in a rendition of Half Man Half Biscuit’s Something’s Rotten In The Back Of Iceland. This alone made it worth turning up early doors.

Recent Anvil Records signings Caveparty take the evening is a more melodic direction. Standout tracks include 2017 single No Lies and the soon to be released Strange Lullaby. They are an outfit on their way to being able to headline in a bigger room.

Headliners False Advertising open in energetic form with Dozer, a cut from their 2015 self titled album. This sets the tone for a blistering set that includes new tracks from their upcoming album (You Won’t Feel Love and Influenza) alongside fan favourites such as Give It Your Worst.

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Hilarity ensues when vocalist/guitarist/drummer Jen Hingly apologises for not having Thomas The Tank Engine playing on the screen at the back of the stage. This prompts a spontaneous rendition of the theme tune from Crapson’s Mike which is taken up by others in attendance. A giggling Jen even joins in on drums.

Thank you Liverpool! It was very icy and cold but you warmed our hearts ❤️❤️❤️❤️🔥

— False Advertising (@falseadv) February 1, 2019

Despite sparse attendance this was a successful show for Independent Venue Week and Craft Taproom. Let’s hope this bar becomes a place to see up and coming acts. Because let’s face it, We can never have too many such venues.

Photos by Getintothis’ Andy Sunley.