Moles has become the hub for emerging bands with its quirky underground bar and stage and enticing recording studio. Across the walls are the names of artists such as Radiohead and Snow Patrol whose success is prominent within today’s culture, so it’s no wonder that musicians and fans flock to the place that holds a promising future within its very infrastructure. Walk into Moles and you’re greeted by the chilled out vocals of Arcade Fire that drift down the stairs with you to where the first band are setting up.
Peyote took to the stage unfazed by the small numbers that waited to be invited into their lyrical world. There was no doubt that a crowd would soon gather as the rough and ready tones of lead singer, Joseph Little halted any drinking and began the all important foot tapping. Along with this are the plucky guitar riffs that will resonate with you long after the four piece leave the stage, and thundering drum lines that kick started an evening of blues madness. Peyote are a band who have found their niche and know how to keep their crowd energised as front man Joseph pulled out a megaphone for what is quite possibly their most exciting song to date, ‘Coffee and Pie’. Their eclectic sound marries blues and rock so that we are taken back to the reminiscent late sixties; an age we should definitely revisit on the heels of this fast growing band.
Their EP, Throwing Shapes will be released in May and you can follow them on tour this summer, so check out their Facebook page for more details: http://www.facebook.com/peyotemusic
Next to hold the stage were Bite the Buffalo who are already storming through the UK supporting up and coming artists such as Gabrielle Aplin. The Zambian duo has been swept up by record label Daddy Longlegs Records, and unleashed their EP, Bromigos to their growing fan base. We can be sure to be entertained as they describe themselves with, ‘If two of the Beatles were to come back as zombies and play music, they’d be Bite the Buffalo’. And what could be better? These brothers come together to form effervescent guitar riffs over pulsating drum beats to show a passion within music that can’t be lost. We’re taken on a journey where the White Stripes meets the Black Keys to form a mash up that fills you with energy. So kick back, become enveloped in the sun and let your ears be treated to this year’s sound of the summer.
Their EP, Bromigos can be found on iTunes and you can keep up to date with where they are on their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/BiteTheBuffalo
Ending the evening were Wet Nuns who weren’t quite what was to be expected after the energised blues that had carried the crowd through the night so far. Wet Nuns erupted with crashing drum beats and heavy guitar lines telling the audience, ‘All our songs are about women and death’; not quite following the lively and chilled out atmosphere that had earlier resounded throughout Moles. Introducing their songs with a bit on what they are about, this Sheffield based duo couldn’t have been more appreciative when an audience member helped them to finally find out that ‘the green thread with plastic bits on the end’ are called treasury tags; queue the laughs. Their music is reaching far and wide as they are currently on tour throughout the UK and you can download their single, ‘Throttle’ for free from their website.
To find out more about their tour and for a listen of Wet Nuns, head to their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/wetnuns.
Our thanks to Zulekhá Afzal for this review.