Reel Big Fish and Less Than Jake at O2 Academy Bristol
Posted on: 2014-02-02
Our rating:
Ska-Punk legends in Bristol
American ska-punk legends Reel Big Fish and Less Than Jake join forces on this very special tour.
Zebrahead, another well-loved contemporary of the scene, started off the night in full swing. Jumping about the stage with a bar full of drinks beside them, it was quite a sight to behold. Their ever racy stage decoration was also present and correct, and the energetic sound that always infects the crowd was there in great amount. They were a brilliant support act and a clever choice, too.
Less Than Jake were the first headliners to play. Entering to a furore of cheers and stomping feet, belting out the classics. The somewhat extensive setlist included History Of A Boring Town, The Science Of Selling Yourself Short and All My Best Friends Are Metalheads (which even I couldn't resist shouting along to in a powerful wave of 90's skate nostalgia.) Even when the set was up, an excitable band and irrepressable crowd ensured a good four extra songs. There was even a dance-off at one point between "girl with blue hair" and "boy with pink hair", having been invited up onto the stage, and the audience voted by way of cheers. To top it all off, one lucky lad got his tshirt signed after determinedly waving the sweaty garment infront the band's faces for the duration of the show. As they said themselves "you wouldn't get Fall Out Boy or My Chemical Romance signing your stuff!" Which made us laugh, but surely has some truth to it. Another band here, who appreciate their audience of like-minded rebels, and realise that a show is about mutual enjoyment.
When it was Reel Big Fishes turn to tussle with this rafter-packed crowd, they relished the frenzy their entrance caused, coming in to the theme from Starwars and a whole load of smoke. After some knowing quips and a few intentional false starts, they launched into all the old favourites, even treating us to a new song. The crowd lapped it up, jumping and dancing just as violently to new songs and old, despite the band's protests... "This is the worst thing we could say to an audience," was what they said, "but here's a new song!"
The covers performed were also worth mentioning. There was a great rendition of the classic Specials song Monkey Man, and more surprisingly - a punk version of Take On Me by A-Ha. Clearly, upon hearing the intro, the crowd went crazy, and it was nice to see so many people still know how to sing each and every word. To finish off the night, Reel Big Fish gave us at least 5 seperate renditions of the same song, asking us each time to dance in a different way and tweaking the song to suit. There was country style, heavy metal, and even a sort of Suede-esque cheese-pop version. Very funny, and extremely enjoyable.
It was an electrifying night of good humour and even better music, and as for the crowd, well, 'the system' didn't stand a chance. 5/5 from Miri.
Pictures and review courtesy of Miri Teixeira
Article by:
Born and raised in the suburbs of Swansea, Jimmy moved to Bristol back in 2004 to attend university. Passionate about live music, sport, science and nature, he can usually be found walking his cocker spaniel Baxter at any number of green spots around the city. Call James on 078 9999 3534 or email Editor@365Bristol.com.
