Mr Wolfs , Thursday 23rd September 21
The scene was set at Mr Wolfs on a Thursday night for Parkas end of tour homecoming show, even at doors the venue was already full for the first band, you know when the soundcheck is popping off that you’re in for a great evening.
The opener, BIG BAD (formerly known as Stone Cold Fiction) was a band that I’ll admit hadn’t been on my radar, and I’m not sure why! Combining a fusion of Jazzy Math Rock riffs with intricate basslines that wouldn’t be amiss on a QOTSA B-Bside with reverb drenched vocals that heavily reminded me of bands like Russian Circles with it’s proggy progressions and general feel.
The Main support, the legendary Beefywink from Bath bought a colourful and furious theme to the night, I overheard a audience member describing Beefywink as “Nu-Metal SLAVES” however I prefer my analogy of Billy Bragg being force fed Tigers Blood. Channeling bands like Bob Vylan, Beefywink are a very angry, very pissed off voice of Post Brexit Britain. Lead singer K Rush had the audience at his whim, creating a maelstrom of insightful and shouted depictions of modern life culminating in what I can assume was the first ever Wall of Death at Mister Wolfs. As we waited for Beefywink to pack down, as if by magic IDLE’s anthem of Never Fight a Man with a Perm was played on the house speakers, creating another post set mosh pit.
The Headliner, PARKAS, had just finished a tour but were anything but worn out. Lead singer Matt Banks sporting a red WEB t-shirt fitting with the band’s aesthetics was drenched in sweat as he launched into anthem after anthem. To say PARKAS set was electric would be an understatement, it’s more like directly wiring your eyes to a mains plug socket and going bang. I got the feeling (in between being covered in lager) that this is how people might have felt in the Arctic Monkeys early days, seeing them in independent venues and just waiting for the band’s inevitable rise to fame. I talked to Matt in between sets who said they’ll be taking a short break to record some more material, and it sounds like they deserve the break! I’m very P.O.S.I.T.I.V.E about the future for PARKAS that’s for sure!
Reviewer Cam Mulberry
Photo Credit Luke Shadrick
@thebristolnomad / @bristolnomad_gigphotography
Role: Photographer / Reviewer / Interviewer
Chief, the one that bugs the team for team for their reviews and images. Creator and founder of The Bristol Gig Guide. Can usually be found swamped in admin or getting cramp kneeling at the front of a gig.
Available for: Gig Shoots, Gig Reviews, Photo Shoots, Album and Single cover shoots, Videography work, Interviews and Touring
First attended gig: Republica, circa 1996.
First gig shot: Hands Off Gretel, at The Louisiana!
Dream gig: Huge metalhead and my ultimate dream gig would be shooting my heroes Slipknot at a huge stadium gig, or as festival headliners. And to experience shooting a headline tour outside the UK
