Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes
The Great Hall Cardiff
6.2.24
It all started with a dart down the M4. I flew off from band practice,
stormed through the rain and made it to the Students Union. Bit of
hassle getting in but to be honest I don’t blame them as I turned
up at 21:50.
Now I am here and I am under the experience of this music, I won’t
lie it’s not my cup of tea but I knew that going in. The front
of house sound is rather quiet. I forgot my ear plugs but it won’t
end like The Sound Of Metal for me luckily.
Pretty heavy, rather chuggy, but all in all, middle of the road. I
like the fact I’ve come on to this with no prior knowledge as
you’re getting the real deal mush. The singer, Frank Carter I
assume, is small in statue but has a good voice.. but too LG-esk for
me oddly, I can’t fully explain it but I hate it.
Photo: Ya Cheng/MetalTalk
The crowd is “dead as fuck and it is no where near loud enough”
put lovingly by my girlfriend who is accompanying me on this quest.
She’s seen them 8 years ago and apparently they haven’t
kept the best for last.
Won’t lie there have been a fair few smelly riffs but I can’t
lie I do feel a familiarity with all of them which is always a turn
off for my brain.
I’m not a fan of the silence and looking cool inbetween songs.
I always prefer a bit of personality with my music.
For some reason the drums are mixed like a GarageBand preset, the
sub of the bass is just swallowing everything up apart from the mids
from Frankie’s vocals and the treble from the kick?!? The guitar
is super quiet but I’m a fan as the fella's bass tone is smelling
when you can catch it sonically.
The crowd is.. I'd say.. on and a half times louder than the band.
I’m stood to the side as I can only get down and dirty when I
bum the band.. idk nerves and such?!
My girlfriend just told me that it’s their first night of their
tour and their promotion for it wasn’t the best - this might
explain the lack of energy and love coming from the band and the crowd.
Constant chatter in every intro they do.
Is it a lack of interest? Lack of love? A lack of understanding?!?
Seems that way going off the singers facial expressions.
(Quick piss break)
I’ve come out from peeing stood on hundreds of men’s piss
to a rock and roll track akin to ABBA? Oddly? The crowd likes this
one though! Apparently it’s one of his old ones, perhaps his
new material hasn’t been as well received as his past efforts.
I can kind of see why. There’s definitely been a change of genre..
a sense of what’s the word.. selling out? Easy on the ears, Radio
1 rock and roll, the Brits love it.
Lots of pissheads, saw some fella eat shit into the coat rack desk
that was fun!
I’m a sucker for stage energy and I haven’t received one
bit. The fella is jumping around now, the singer, Mr Rattlesnake.
I do believe the energy from playing his old material has lit him
up a bit, the crowd are feeling it, he’s feeling it. I don’t
know the band at all but I’d put a bet on that their next album
will be in the realm of being heavier.
He’s now stood on the crowd. The demographic here ranges from
children, cex workers and parents so I do wish them luck.
Why does the kit sound midi?! Honestly the mix on that kit is bum.
The bass mix is class though.. reminiscent of bands like Basement,
early Sonic Youth, and maybe even idk Rush? Idk, I’ve lost interest
now I won’t lie, and oddly Geddy Lee has popped into my head.
Gallows 2007 by Rosey
This guy likes Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino and probably Suck
It And See.
“Rockstar, pornstar wherever you are”?.
Rough as fuck, I’ve never been a fan of lyrics
surrounding those themes idk.
Cringe?! They’ve finished but these seem the type
to definitely play an encore. I’ll let you know shortly…
Ayeeeee I fucking knew it. Better hit the beaten track before all
hell breaks loose though. These lot are off to Fuel, I can smell it.
He’s playing a classic it seems for the encore but half the crowd
are flying out to catch the last train it seems.
One last arsey point on the sound.. there was no definition at all
with like any drum fill, guitar strumming pattern, bass groove.
Definitely an odd one for me but fuck it. Also first
night of tour mush, I wish you all luck, but I won’t be following
you.
Second to last song had a lil something tho, I won’t lie. Last
song dragged but live and let die.
Mr Pickett
Thanks to Rob at Sonic PR for fixing this up
.
