With the eyes of The Big Yin staring down into the basement venue of The Old Toll Bar, some could find this intimidating, but not university. The four piece from Crewe are an unconventional band. I hesitate to suggest this is due to their youth, but perhaps more to do with the fact that Crewe has no music scene whatsoever. university developed in their own silo, and is all the better for it. They don’t play by the rules but its not arrogance, its just they don’t know what the rules are. They just want to let loose and have fun.
The show opened with ‘Notre Dame Made of Flesh’ one of the standout songs from their debut EP Title Track which was released last year via Transgressive Records. All thrashing drums and scratchy guitar riffs this heads off at pace and is immediate in its impact. The melody grabs, and eventually the vocal kicks in with the line “I don’t want to be my Dad….”.
Credit: Julia Mason
university comprise Joel Smith (drums), Zak Bowker (vocals/guitar) and Ewan Barton (bass) but they have a fourth member. Eddie Leigh is the balaclava-clad, X-box player gaming onstage. He also holds up the name of the songs before they are played. The rest of the band admit that none of them naturally play the role of a front person and as Eddie has always been with them, he provides a degree of comfort onstage. I suspect the reality is that he is more than just a token member of the band, playing a more integrated role than university allude to.
‘King Size Slim’ has a glorious opening guitar riff. There is simply nothing like hearing your favourite music live, especially when it is this good. Less familiar songs ‘Massive Top Tattoo’, ‘Gorilla Panic‘ and ‘Diamond Song‘ are no less impactful. The unexpected twists and turns go from hardcore, rock, funk and even smatterings of jazz but with the unique alchemy that university apply. Don’t get me wrong, this is not inaccessible music, quite the opposite. The instrumentation tends to lead the way and the three musicians are completely in tune with each other. One question, though, how the heck do they play so fast?
There may not have been much banter but that really is not important. Before ‘Diamond Song‘ began there was clear instructions by Zak to the sound-desk “TURN IT UP“! ‘GTA Online’ began with a gentler more heartfelt vocal, demonstrating the variety of sonic output. The main set finished with ‘History of Iron Maiden Pt. 2′ , a sprawling six and a half minute song which heads one way then takes a sharp bend in another direction altogether, and just when you think its over, you’d be wrong and the harsh vocals spits out its disdain until a completely calm quiet section gives a moments breath. Wonderful.
And a mention has to be made for the support band Vibrator from Aberdeen, who even gave out the reminder that if you want to google them “so you don’t get into any trouble, it’s Vibrator the band”. They had driven three hours to support university. Three musicians on staqe, a lead vocalist who shouts as well as sings, releasing frustrations I imagine, and a thumping drummer whose sticks were flying around all over the place! Their songs were short and sharp. I lost count how many were in their 30 minute set but I’m sure it was into double figures. All credit to them as they stayed to watch university before driving the three hours home again.
It wasn’t just Billy Connelly watching us from the walls tonight but we were also in the company of Paul McCartney, Kelly MacDonald, Elvis Costello and James McAvoy. No matter who was watching, university delivered. It may not have been sold out but it’s a measure of an artist that they still give 100% in front of a smaller crowd. The exuberant performance seemed to suggest they loved every second, even giving us an unplanned encore. And a point to note, everyone bought merch and left with a massive grin on their faces, sending university back down the M74 with a few extra fans converted. They have already played Manchester Psych Fest, The Great Escape, Stag and Dagger and Left of the Dial. It’s going to be intriguing to see which direction this band will head in. Rules? What rules?
For more information on university please check out their facebook and instagram.
For more information on vibrator please check out their instagram.
