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For some reason they chose to do this on a Monday. Not a great way of pulling in the kids really but it was still reasonably busy for the Joiners. I headed down to marvel at NoComply, but also because it was Diggers gig and I'd heard some of their stuff on Hopeless records samplers and it was pretty good.
"Local Melodic Punk Newcomers" (thats what the flyer said) One End started the show, can't remember for sure but I think the bassplayer sang. They looked pretty young but one of the guitarists was dropping in some nifty little licks, and they had some quite catchy songs in the vein of headliners Digger. I'd definately like to see them supporting more acts locally.
Then it was time for NoComply to entertain. I've seen them a few times now and the energy of their set is always amazing, kind of like a female-fronted Capdown. Nick and Jon put in some sterling work on the bass and guitar while the brass section skank with their instruments. Kelly, as usual starts off with her hair tied back neatly but jumps around on stage like a lunatic screaming passionately down the mic until the hair goes flying. Her voice is probably the best UK female vocal at the moment (and you can quote me on that one!).
The set consists mainly of tracks from their Deck Cheese EP "Your Life Is Your Direction", with one or two others that I think were on compilations (Compunktion). Mis-Use of Control showcases Jon's guitaring, while the title track from their EP is an absolute stormer (nice use of strobe lights on that one!). This band seem to be somewhat overlooked in the UK ska-punk scene at the moment which I think is somewhat unfair because their brand of ska-core deserves a bigger profile.
Digger take to the stage on the fifth night of their UK tour with NoComply. Apparently they've played the Joiners before (must have been an STE/Oomf gig), and so they heckle the crowd a bit about living in Southampton (and so they should, it sucks balls!). I was expecting a slightly gritty punk rock band sounding a bit like Samiam circa mid-nineties, and thats pretty much what they sound like on record, but live they have polished their act a bit and sound, dare I say it, a bit pop-punk.
The Pennsylvania foursome play a few songs from "Powerbait" and "The Promise of an Uncertain Future" as well as plenty from their more recent release "Monte Carlo". "I Want My Hat Back" live is a case in point of how their sound is different live - you can even pick out the vocals! Like the Lonely Kings from Fearless, they are one of these solid American punk bands from small labels that play small profile gigs over here but are a treat to see if you can catch them.
Having been suitably impressed I then found I had spent all my remaining money on a NoComply t-shirt and so couldn't afford the Digger album, but I cheered myself up with some stickers. Another good night at the Joiners.
Jamie
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