Lava Frog: E.P. Launch and Gig Review

When I found out about Lava Frog was going to release an E.P. a month or so ago from Shaun Tate, I thought “Hell Yeah” and they were going to do a launch party up at the O2 Academy in Newcastle, but at the time I was wondering if I was going to go. Prior to the gig, since Lava Frog announced the gig, I spoke to Shaun a few times about this and that, I wouldn’t say that he convinced me to come, but decided to go, as I thought “You only live once”. Anyway about a week before the gig, I was talking to one of my nieces, as she asked me if I was up to going to see AC/DC down in Manchester. At first, I was reluctant to go but she convinced me to go. As we were talking, I got on talking about this gig coming up, and she was interested in going, she said to me “I hope its not some of the stuff you usually listen to” “No, its not black or death metal that I normally listen to” I said. So I showed her some of the bands videos to her, so she wanted to go, but it was down to if she could get a babysitter. By Thursday/Friday she got back to me that she could go.

So the day came, I was so pumped for this gig, my niece messaged me saying that she wont get up to the O2 until after 8pm as she was waiting for babysitter, I was “OK no worries”. As I made my way to the gig, I was getting excited about it. As I got to the venue there was a good few people there waiting to get in. Just before the doors opened, Shaun came out and we got on talking about the gig and he was getting excited to be doing the gig, after a couple of minutes he had to get off. After a couple of minutes the doors open and we all piled in.

Support Acts.

Masamune

After about 15 minutes of the doors opening, the first band was on. I have spoken to some people who have seen Masamune, and they have said to me they are good (I have seen or heard of them before), and I was wondering what they were like as they have a new singer. As Masamune started, I was pleasantly surprised how good these were, and after a few tracks I was starting to like these, as I scanned the room I noticed that there were a good few more people in for the first band on. the 3rd song that they played was heavier than the first two. If you like your guitars good and heavy you’ll like this Masamune. After a few more tracks, they did a slightly slower one but it got heavier with some good guitars and drumming, the singer is a really good vocalist. The next song they did was a bit more poppy, but it was really good and had some sweet guitars on it with some nice riffs. The last song from Masamune came, and I thought “Damn, these guys are good”. If you are looking for something different in a rock band you should check these guys out at their Bandcamp page. Click here to see it.

Pussy Willow Furry Venus

I have seen these four times in the last two and a half months, and each time I have seen them, they do get better and better with each time. Their first song they did was Sticky Vicky,this song is my favourite track by them and I will not get sick of this track. over the course their next few tracks, the whole band were absolutely awesome, with Steph on vocals, Rob on guitar, Leah on bass and Dave on drums, these guys kick arse in a big way.

The next song they did was Devil Inside, and it is still a brutal song, as it punches through your chest, rips your heart out and smacks you over your head with screaming at you “You will listen to this”. The next song Walking On Air does the same thing everytime I hear it, PWFV are the perfect band to to go and see. The last Song that they done was a new track, its called Snake Hip Bitch, I have seen these on 3 previous occasions prior to this gig and I think this the second time I’ve heard this track and it is a really cool track. I would definitely see these again. I love this band so much I went to their Bandcamp page and bought their E.P. The Slag That Fell To Earth, click here for their Bandcamp page.

Velvoir

This is the second time I have seen Velvoir, and they are brilliant live and are tight musically. They are a band that is like The Doors meets Rocky Horror Picture Show. Over the set they played some awesome guitars, bass and drums, the singer was spot on, as they got into your brain and started to pound on and turning it to mush. By the 3rd song Tender Romance its called, on this track the bassist and drummer worked brilliant on this track as the bass line was reverberating through the whole room, and the guitar player he was making his guitar squeal.

I am starting really like this band. and by the 4th track I was watching the bassist slap play his bass, I was thinking “Oh yeah, not that many people can do that”. Plus on this song the beats were killer, and when Dean James was talking to me when they were on, he said to me that their music was well suited for a film soundtrack, and I totally agree with him. Their last track Pearls On Velvet, might be on the slow side, comparing it to the other tracks they did, but the pounding bass line and tight harmonies are amazing. If you like The Doors go check them out at their Bandcamp page. Click here to see it.

Main Act.

Lava Frog

Well, what can I say about Lava Frog, they are a psychedelic quartet mixing up funk, classic rock and spacey riffs in an infusion of music with the intention of sending you sideways. This is my second time seeing these, and they have gotten better since I last time I saw them back in March.

As I was waiting for my niece, Lava Frog came to the stage, and as they started to play, my niece texted me say that she was nearly there so I went outside, then she rang me saying that she was walking up to the entrance to the O2, so we rushed in, and I said that Lava Frog have just started.

This is the second time that I have seen these guys and they are amazing. As my niece was getting a drink I could tell that she was listening to Lava Frog, As we watched them, I could see that she was liking them, where within a couple of songs she was a convert to them, she said to me that “I thought they were a lot heavier, you know, the usual stuff that you normally listen to”, yeah I do listen to Black and Death Metal, but I do enjoy other genres of Rock and Metal.

As the set went on, the band were amazing. The guitarist was good to the point were he was making his guitar scream. the drummer was brilliant as he was like a maniac, the bassist good as well as he delivered a thunderous bass line throughout the set, and then there was Shaun on vocals, what a consummate entertainer, and the crowd were loving the set. As the set was coming to an end, I thought “Now I see why I like Lava Frog” as they are a well polished outfit. Even my niece said to me after the show ended that they were really good, even though she didn’t know what to expect from them. Give these guys a listen to these on their Soundcloud page, click here for their page.

When we got outside of the O2, Dean James came up to us and invited us to go for a drink. So we went, and we went to the Starr Inn across the road to the O2, and when we were they Shaun came in and we got on chatting about the gig, and I said to him that the gig was absolutely amazing, and all the were brilliant. So I asked him when Lava Frog was playing next, and he said that they are at Hamsterley Forest Music Fest on the 25th of June (details here).

Well it was a absolutely brilliant night out. You should really check all the bands out as they are awesome.

I would like to give Masamune a 4.5 out of 5

I would like to give Pussy Willow Furry Venus a 5 out of 5

I would like to give Velvoir a 4.5 out of 5

I would like to give Lava Frog a 5 out of 5

On a personal matter. When I was making my way to the gig, a very nice young lady approach me when I was buying a ticket for the Metro, and she very kindly give me her all day ticket for the Metro, I and would like to thank her for her kind generosity, whoever she was.

Project Metal Music