Autobahn '2' EP Release, Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
- Written by Georga Felcey
It would be difficult to deny the glut of artists that have been spewing out of the north in recent years, a surge of post punk, post metal, post everything has turned everyone into hungry scenesters that celebrate the Eagulls letterman performance like it was an olympic gold - and the new bands just keep on coming.
Autobahn are one of these bands and tonight they are marking their 2nd EP release 2, with a gig at the Brudenell Social Club in Leeds before moving on to London then Brighton to play two more shows.
Releasing their self titled debut EP late last year was an introduction to their savage mix of raw vocals and howling guitars that held an exciting opportunity for development which they have proven is something they are more than capable of forwarding. After touring the UK extensively with the likes of Girl Talk, they have fished a decent size following whilst pinging up on the radars of some of the countries biggest music magazines, with new track 'Pale Skin' previewed by Clash.
Support comes from three bands tonight. Mush, freshly birthed band from Leeds who at present have two songs available for purchase and stream on their bandcamp, both optimistic pointers to what future releases may hold, The Wub, who play a good set of similarly energetic songs with a stronger focus on the instrumental sections and particular stand outs FEHM.
Leeds four piece FEHM are fronted by a pacing madman and are the best thing I’ve seen in so long. Sickly sharp lyrics sting like a slap and are paired with 1950s sic-fi style synth, a soothing compliment to the pounding baselines that string together this kaleidoscopic masterpiece. 'Macrocosm' is a menacing three minutes of prickly post punk, an un-ignorable offering to the ever flourishing local music scene and one of many more to come I’m sure. Towards the end of their set a girl faints, the reason is unknown, but for the sake of keeping things interesting we’ll say it is because the band were just that good.
With a good size audience including that of ex and future tour buddies Eagulls and a well brewed atmosphere, Autobahn take to the stage celebrating the progression of the new EP, they even had balloons. The roots of the demo style shrills are still present but tidied up just enough to mature the latest releases remarkably for such a young band. Their brooding psych is fronted by the deep laments of singer Craig Johnson who sports a sequinned jacket which reflects flashes of light as he sways to the music. They add to their limited selection of songs with Blitz cover, 'New Age', to which some of the crowd join in singing the well known classic. They end the night with Seizure, the stand out track from their last release, and one that everyone knows.
The future looks exciting for Autobahn and also FEHM, did I mention they were good?