FURYON
The Dublin Castle, Camden, London, UK - 22nd July 2010
Line-up: Furyon + Solsikk + The Vanities + Polar Haze
Review and (poor quality) phone pic by Jon Wilde
Brighton's Furyon are a band I've been meaning to see for a good long time. They are one of the UK's hottest live acts at the moment, have an amazing new album (Gravitas) out, and are generating a buzz like you wouldn't believe. However, up until now I've always managed to be busy when they were playing nearby. Fortunately, on this hot(tish) night in London, matters were put right.
Before they came on, though, there was the small matter of the support acts. First up it was supposed to be Polar Haze, a band I assume take reference from the great Mr. Hendrix. Sadly, I didn't catch them. I was in the front of the Dublin Castle (the stage area is a separate room out the back), and I did hear some noise, but it sounded like a band warming up. Whether this was actually Polar Haze or not I'm not sure, but regardless...this is about as much knowledge of their appearance as I can muster...
Next along were The Vanities. I have to say I was quite impressed with what I saw. The real talent of the band is clearly singing/guitar-playing front man Danny - who again really takes his inspiration from Jimmy Hendrix. I must confess, a few songs into the set I got a bad attack of the munchies and had to go off in hunt of a Burger King, but those few fleeting moments of funky retro rock were quite inspiring. And, actually, the trip to Burger King was worthwhile as I had the pleasure of meeting Aurel from Le KKC Orchestra, a French jazz/rap fusion band. I urge you to check out their group as the music they play is jolly interesting...in a really good way - http://www.myspace.com/lekkcorchestra.
Back to the Dublin Castle, Solsikk were up next. Split decision on this band. Matt on drums, Mark on bass, and Chris on guitar were all first class. However, and it pains me to say this, but Vykki on vocals really wasn't great. She is possibly the most gorgeous woman I have ever seen in real life, but being a singer in a band is all about the vocals and the stage presence. In this performance, she had neither. Maybe it was an off night, or maybe she really is just there as eye candy. Whatever, with someone more ballsy and skilled out front, Solsikk could be a force to be reckoned with.
And then...what it was all about...Furyon. Wow. These guys have the talent, they have the songs. They are both crushingly heavy and beautifully melodic, and they are so talented it's unfair on any other band as the same bill. The fact the venue wasn't stuffed to the rafters with screaming fans was an insult to these guys, but they still playing their hearts out and were unequivocally worth every ounce of hype surrounding them. I'm not going to bore you with intricate details of the songs they played, as everything they did was first class. If they aren't headlining Download in 10 years we should all be ashamed of ourselves.
What Furyon need now is a super-big song to get them noticed, to get them fully in the public eye, and to get them the record deal they deserve. 'Disappear Again' has a video on the way. I really hope it captures the imagination of the world, because that is the very least these guys should have bestowed upon them.
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