Going from strength to strength
Room Thirteen has covered several Breed 77 gigs in 2006, all of which have been opportunities for the band to act as missionaries, spreading the word of how their new material was shaping up. Now that 'In My Blood'Is out they're back ready to preach to the converted, on this occasion a very sweaty Camden Underworld was the venue.
With Breed 77 you get a mix of metal edged vocals, mighty classic rock guitar solos, a drummer who is a total maniac, Spanish style guitars and the odd emotive MTV appeal slower number. All this together makes them one of the most interesting bands on the emerging talent circuit.
This set got off to a stumbling start, it seemed as if somebody had started the anthemic classical walk on music too early. Although the band hit the ground running with two heavier tracks, it seemed to take those who weren't total die-hards a little while to really get into this gig. Old favourite 'World On Fire' appeared early in the setlist and got the desired reaction, it was described by Paul Isola as "one which will get you moving as a fucking unit!"
This was followed by 'Empty Words', one of the more mellow offerings and one that myself, and other R13 reviewers have tipped as a track that could take them to the next level in terms of mass appeal.
Next up came recent single 'Alive' and 'Apathy', a track that doesn't appear on any of their records to date. This was followed by another that has hit record stamped all over it, the piano based 'Look At Me Now', which Isola announced as their "Elton John moment".
Other highpoints during this gig were 'So You Know', which was dedicated to all those who help to put this particular show on the road, 'A Matter of Time' and 'Blind' which rounded off the main body of the set.
As the band returned to the stage for the encore, we were about to be treated to something of a forgotten nineties' rock revival. We got the seemingly essential rock band sport of Bush bashing, followed by one of the more surprising covers I've seen, "This ones for my mate Georgie Bush" was how their version of the Cranbury's track 'Zombie' was introduced.
Riding on their own mini wavecrest right now, Breed 77 were clearly loving every minute of this show, revelling in the glory of a new album that really should take them up a league in terms of media profile. Early on in the night we were told how great it felt to be back in London, this band has the songs, and an ever-growing army of followers that means their next visit to the capital should be in a bigger (although not necessarily better) venue than the Underworld.