A gig? What on earth?! Yes I’m reviewing a gig for the first time in 2022. I have managed to see Creeper and Paradise Lost so far this year, but now it’s good to be back actually reviewing… though truth be told I probably should not be out at all. Saturday morning I was in hospital at 8am having a chunk of flesh, ROCKFLESH no doubt, removed from my body and come Sunday night I am still feeling tired and sore… 

I arrive just after 6pm so I can get upstairs in The Ritz and snag myself a seat opposite the stage. For such an early start an impressive crowd have already gathered for the first act and that is exactly what I am here for. Millie Manders and The ShutUp (MMATSU) take to the stage at 6.45pm and crash straight into the wonderful “One That Got Away”. For those of you who are unfamiliar with MMATSU, they are firm faves on Primordial Radio and from start to finish the set is full of exuberant energy, made up of Millie’s powerful and magnificent vocals – this girl can SING, coupled with lyrics that really get to the heart of humanity and speak to my soul. It is captivating musicianship all round. The set is flawless and although I am already a big fan I’m delighted to discover a few tracks I have not already heard (‘Obsession Transgression’ and ‘Sweet Melody’). Next up is another expertly fused angry yet up upbeat delight… “Bitter”. Dedicated to someone who clearly pissed Millie off, she says she immortalises anyone who does so in song… maybe I should note that down as an anger management tool?!

I am really enjoying the raw honesty of latest single ‘Not Ok’, which is about mental health and given my day job and my volunteering work, alongside music this is the most important focus within my life. It is one of the reasons I have so much time for Millie, not only because she is a sensational musician but her courage and conviction to speak openly about mental health in her songs and in-person is much welcomed among the rock and metal community. 

The set comes to its triumphant or is that trumpet-filled finale with “Your Story”, which I am not surprised scored the band the number one spot in Primordial Radio’s 2020 Upvote Top 100 as voted by listeners. It is a paradoxical formula that works. Upbeat melody (plenty of accompanying trumpets), loud in your face vocals but with heart-wrenching lyrics… that resonate with so many of us. Rejection sucks. Fact. 

“Just want a part in your story. Just wanna play a part in your life. And I will never be sorry. For feeling like we’d have been so damn right.” 

I’m quite sad to be stuck upstairs while my friends are rocking out at the front of the crowd but I’ll no doubt catch MMATSU again soon. I’m thrilled that this awesome, and please note, UNSIGNED band, have been invited on this epic tour with Less Than Jake. If you fancy hearing more and I suggest you do… check out the album “Telling Truths, Breaking Ties” and catch them on tour with dates across the UK in the coming months, including the Primordial General Mayhem at Lincolnshire Showground on Friday 22 April. Full details here www.millie-manders.com 

Well I could quite happily leave the review there and was thinking of writing up in the order I think the acts should have performed but I’ll follow chronological order… So next up is The Toasters. Hailing from New York, this ska band have been around since 1981, they are strangely familiar and tonight proves I actually like this genre of music more than I thought. The crowd is filling out now and bopping along to the bouncy vibes, no doubt enjoying the infamous bouncy Ritz dancefloor. They have released nine albums and had many different members in their time but clearly the current line-up are loving what they do with highlights including ‘Weekend in L.A.’ and ‘Don’t Let the Bastards Grind You Down’. I’m transfixed on the keyboardist who is literally chopping away at his keys. Much fun! 

By this point in the proceedings I am definitely flagging but next up is Skinny Lister. I’m momentarily distracted by female vocalist Lorna’s amazing body suit and what looks like a pair of Irregular Choice shoes! Stunning! Formed in 2009, this British folk band seem a little misplaced on this line-up. They obviously have a dedicated following and are very accomplished musicians bringing an eclectic mix including a concertina, mandolin, drums, guitar, double bass. The crowd has grown considerably but the band just aren’t doing it for me. When Dan, lead vocalist sings, he totally drowns out Lorna. Overall they sound okay but seems to go on for hours and I’m impatiently waiting for the headliners. 

And finally… Less Than Jake (LTJ) take to the stage and the room is packed out now (and I’m very relieved I stayed upstairs as it is far too busy and boisterous for an injured person to be downstairs). I know who Less Than Jake are, I couldn’t however name a single song… so as they whizz through a 16 song playlist I’m waiting to hear something I recognise. And yet recognition on this occasion is not required. Here at ROCKFLESH we are trying to mix things up a bit and get each other reviewing bands we wouldn’t normally bother to go and see and I guess this is my contribution. I came to see MMATSU and while I don’t dislike Less Than Jake… am I a fan? No, not really. But did I enjoy the show? Hell yes! Not just the performance but having a birds eye view of the crowd and just soaking up the atmosphere was a perfect tonic after an otherwise stressful week. Despite Covid-19 cases increasing around us, tonight people are really letting their hair down and for a moment it’s like we are back to pre-pandemic gigs, with circle pits and crowd-surfers galore, it is a great sight to behold. 

Formed in 1992, Less Than Jake are an American five-piece from Florida, and as their website bio states they “tell you quite unpretentiously that they are here to bring a good time.” We should consider Less Than Jake the first responders when your psyche doesn’t think it wants to continue because we do need all the joy and levity a seasoned ska-punk band can dish out. The reality that LTJ are also feeling reminds us that some kind of triumph is within our reach.” Their rapport with each other and the crowd show you these are really down to earth guys, who quite simply want everyone to have a good time, in spite of the world around us. So much so, that throughout the night not only are we treated to an amazing light show and other on-stage gimmicks like toilet roll streamers and huge red balloons, but they also invite a few of the crowd up, including one guy simply because they like his ‘tache and bring him up to enjoy a beer! Later in the night it is a guy who looks like Nikki Sixx, who they try to get doing exercises on stage, though they do also let him plug his band Murder on the Airwaves. There are also loads of young fans in the crowd, it is brilliant to see the next generation rocking out, especially when they ask two young girls onto the stage with their dads. They are wearing the same t-shirt and frontman Chris is momentarily confused when he thinks he is seeing double. 

From start to finish I don’t know where to focus my attention. There is so much going on but I’m loving the trombonist in particular who looks slightly out of place, like he has just been brought in for the night from a more demure location with his shirt and slacks, while the rest of the band are definitely rocking a more casual punky look! Highlights from the set list include ‘Fat Mike’s On Drugs’ an ode to Mike from NOFX with a skeleton-headed dude wandering the stage throughout and for ‘Look What Happened’ Millie joins them on stage, absolutely fantastic. The other songs I instantly recognise are the ever-so catchy (that’s an understatement) ‘The Science of Selling Yourself Short’ and the more sorrowful ‘The Ghosts of Me and You’. Quick pause and the guys are back for the encore with the older ‘My Very Own Flag’ and rounding off with ‘All My Best Friends Are Metalheads’ (it’s true!) ending on an ultimate high. If you have missed the band’s latest offering the album “Silver Linings” was release in 2020 and no doubt they will be back to the UK soon.