Review – The Love Handles & Taunts

Mothers Ruin , 25th January 2020

More energy than a Duracell Bunny that has just necked a couple of Jagerbombs….

I think that about sums about the duo that collided at Mothers Ruin this past Saturday as part of Free For All Festival.

Taunts

Travelling three hours up to Bristol from Cornwall on a wet Saturday evening you could forgive Taunts if they simply went through the motions, played their set and went home…but this is Taunts and they ALWAYS deliver.

Ele and Luke might each have over a decade of appearing in various bands, but they have not lost a drop of enthusiasm and love of what they do since the first time they picked up a guitar and set of drum sticks.

As performers they are blistering too watch. As people they are about as personable and friendly as you could ever wish to meet.

Mothers Ruin struggled to contain the energy as the Cornish coasts finest unleashed a wall of noise and a performance that was both dynamic and interactive. This is a band that are chomping at the bit to get the crowd going and involved. They are natural performers who exude a level of confidence in what they are doing that shows they are used to much bigger stages.

Speaking with them both pre show the aspiration and excitement they have for the new project that is Taunts is palpable. Indeed if you could bottle it and provide it to bands just starting out you’d have a recipe for success by any measure.

Taunts debut Bristol performance has only cemented in our minds a firm desire to see them back very soon.

The Love Handles

We have had The Love Handles on our “Must catch live” list for quite some time, such is their reputation around the city for stellar shows. We were not to be disappointed , their rep as Bristol’s premier indie trash band is well deserved.

Off stage you are presented with four of the most well mannered, welcoming and unassuming young men you could ever wish to meet.

On stage they transform into men possessed. Danny being a cross over between the Tasmanian devil and an angry Chihuahua leads the line as well as any front man we have seen in Bristol.

The bands reputation was obvious from the burgeoning crowd that packed the upstairs of Mothers Ruin. Singing and dancing as TLH blasted out a relentless ball of energy in their direction. This is band that seemingly enjoy playing live more than anything else. Smiles adorning all their faces as they impressed the eager throng.

A band that really come across as four mates, still smashing out tunes in their parents garage on a Saturday afternoon. And it’s that kind of grounded, down to earth vibe that makes them so infectious to watch.

The music is raw yet accomplished.

The sound is retro yet fresh

The stage presence commanding yet inviting.

We have just watched Bristol premier Indie Trash band.