With Just A Hint Of Mayhem

Music reviews, gig reviews, fun trivia and extra added random stuff!

This House Is Haunted – Fulford Arms, York – Sunday 18th June 2023 July 2, 2023

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 8:46 pm
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This would be only the third time that I had seen the magnificent and mighty This House Is Haunted. The last time was back in 2021 at this very venue, the fabulous Fulford Arms. So what was This House Is Haunted like? Read on and you’ll find out, first I need to tell you about the two rather delightful support bands. First up it was Offbeat, a band that is new to me, so therefore new to these pages. I believe they are quite a new band and, oh boy do they pack a hefty punch. They have some great punk-style licks and they know how to write a classy pop-rock tune too. They have a song about Grimsby too, how many other artists have done that? To my knowledge, there is Elton John with the song “Grimsby” from his 1974 album ‘Caribou’ and the Justified Ancients Of Mu Mu (a.k.a. the JAMs and the KLF) mention the town in “It’s Grim Up North” from 1990 and 1991. Offbeat also gave us a colossally good and supremely passionate cover of the Gossip classic “Standing In The Way Of Control”. It looked like the crowd (including some fine formation dancing from the Rosettas (more of them later) absolutely loved them, and so did I.

Next, it was the turn of the Rosettas, a band that I have seen quite a few times. On the evidence of this thunderous set, I think they have got much, much heavier in the depth of their sound with a powerful metal edge to their music. Benji has mastered the art of the guitar god pose and uses it well. Every member of the band played at 110% and was on possibly the best form I have ever seen them on. The mostly acoustic “Kisses On The Mirror” is crying out to be played at a festival and if it is could be one of those hold your lighters (or sadly, phones) in the air. “Haven’t Signed Up For This” and set closer “It Goes Off” were equal parts thunderous and titanic and came close to melting the fervent fans in the crowd.

Finally, it was time for the sumptuously, gorgeous grooves and seismic sonic sensations of This House Is Haunted. This was a band that is on top form. They were tight, talented and, perfect. They know how to do heavy and that metal beast in them is driven into overdrive by Dom’s drumming. Meanwhile, Zak has perfected the classic heavy rock vocal sound in his masterful voice. Zak’s mega riffs are something special. Then there are the deep bass sounds emanating from Jenn’s bass amp which is the classic engine that drives and powers this fine band. As a rhythm section Jenn and Dom are almost unbeatable among their peers. The new tunes hold up well and I hope we see a This House Is Haunted album one day!

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This House Is haunted – Fulford Arms, York – Sunday 31st October November 9, 2021

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 8:28 pm
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Has there ever been a more aptly named band to headline a show on Halloween than This House Is Haunted? Maybe, but this York band was booked for Halloween this year! Before I speak of them I need to tell you about the three support acts. First to take the stage was Redfyrn, another fine York band. Cat is a great vocalist with a voice that is heavy rock bordering on operatic. Redfyrn have a monster heavy sound with boot-crushing bass and riffs that could split an atom. There are rich seams of jazz and prog in their sound and the drummer’s less is more approach comes across like a heavy metal Charlie Watts. This is the second time I have seen them and it won’t be the last.

Next up it was the turn of another local band, the Bricks. They have a supremely powerful post-punk sound with incredible energy levels, especially from singer Gemma. She is an excellent frontwoman and the band is really tight. I heard strains of early Siouxsie Sioux in Gemma’s vocals and occasionally maybe Lene Lovich too. Their songs are idiosyncratic and original, I particularly loved “Short Songs”. And a special mention for “Warburton” (at least I think that is the title), which can sit alongside just a small handful of other bread-related songs. You need to experience the Bricks live, I did and I will be back for more. Vaquelin came to the spooky stage next. If Led Zeppelin had sweaty, dirty, illicit sex with Bring Me The Horizon, Valequin would be the haunted offspring. Sometimes funky, but always heavy tunes with classy rock vocals prove that this band knows how to rock. The guitars hit you stylistically like Slash but so much heavier.

This House Is Haunted is a hellishly accomplished band. In keeping with Halloween, the band took to the stage dressed like Squid Game participants, although the heat meant those masks didn’t stay for too long! Every member makes a 100% contribution to what are clearly some staggeringly powerful rock songs. Dom proves what an exceptional drummer he is. Zak hits a perfect sweet spot showcasing his fine rock voice and he also supplies some first class nuclear-powered guitar riffs. Bass player Jenn keeps the band’s engine finely tuned and purring like a top-of-the-range Rolls Royce. The world needs to hear more of this band. If they ever haunt a venue near you then do not miss them.

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This House Is Haunted – The Crescent, York – Friday 16th August 2019 August 18, 2019

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 7:23 pm
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One of the few things that I knew about this gig beforehand was that York’s magical, madcap musical adventurers My Wonderful Daze would be playing. This would be the second time that I had seen them. Previously I saw them at the Fulford Arms when they supported Hands Off Gretel back in July. Click here to read what I said about them then. Right now they are just weeks away from the launch of their first EP and if their boundlessly energetic stage performance combined with some supreme musical talent is anything to go by it will be at least bloody good, but most probably fucking great! The bands sound is a clever combination of punk riffs, glam stomp underscored by the sort of funky guitar licks that force you to dance even if you feel that you don’t want to. This is one hell of a tight band and Flowers’ singing show just how powerful a strong punk ethos can be. Highlights for me were “Glorious Day” and “Happy Now” (I hope that I got the titles right!). I had previously detected some warped similarities to Florence and the Machine, but their set tonight took me right back to the first time that I saw Siouxsie and the Banshees around 1976/77. When the My Wonderful Daze EP is available you need to do everything that you can to get your hands on a copy, obviously nothing illegal right? Shady but not illegal might work though.

My Wonderful Daze

Next up were another great York band, although they have now “emigrated” to Leeds, Amongst Thieves. This is a band that knows how to please an audience, in fact, lead singer Josh Nash spent the whole set in the audience. Prowling around with a maniacal stare and swing his microphone around lassoo style emulating Roger Daltrey at his peak. all of this rock theatre element simply added to what was a set of staggeringly great power. Amongst Thieves know how to rock like a bastard from Hell and everything was turned up to eleven or higher. There was punk, metal and classic rock among many other things. Nash’s vocals were hard and spot-on, the counterpoint growly vocal from Ricky Kwong was at times stunning.  This was their first York gig for two years, they really need to come back more often. I am definitely a fan of the band after this gig, I even bought their 11 track CD from 2017 and it has already been played three times. This is a band with the potential to become huge and I hope that they do.

Amongst Thieves

Headliners tonight were This House Is Haunted, another fabulous York band. This city’s great musical heritage shows no signs of slowing down. Apparently, this was only their fourth gig, that was extremely hard to believe for me. It was a polished and powerful performance from a highly talented band. They are as heavy as hell, but with some introspective moments akin to Radiohead. The bottom line though is that if you love great rock music you will adore This House Is Haunted. Zak Ford’s vocals are reminiscent of some of the great metal vocalists. Jenn and Dom are a formidable rhythm section that is the beating heart of the songs. For a three-piece, they make more noise than a band with twice the personnel. Dom’s drumming is super heavy and he must have some of John Bonham’s DNA in him. Their signature tune “This House Is Haunted” deserves to be massive. I will definitely be seeing this lot again!

This House Is Haunted

 

All the photos apart from the gig poster were taken on my cheap android phone. The videos were all found on YouTube, if one of them is yours and you would like a credit or for me to remove it please let me know.

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