Volcanoes + Red Threat

It's not often that a band plays a support slot for their album launch party but tonight, touting 'Your Call Is Important To Us', Sheffield's Red Threat are taking a back seat to rising local stars Volcanoes. According to their website Red Threat don't play live but tonight we're treated to a three song acoustic set by lead singer and songwriter Rob Willis. Without the excessive layers and studio trickery, Willis looks nervous but manages to stay composed throughout the performance. In fact, it is the stripping down of the arrangements that adds a much welcomed level of honesty and credibility to the music of Red Threat. Opening song 'Better Living Through Cookery' is transformed from a poor New Order imitation into a more personal and meaningful number, trimming off the rap and toning down the overblown chorus. Holding up well despite a few slip ups, Willis finishes with their strongest track 'Derwent', a song he introduces as a past rant about the use of mobile phones. Again the song lends itself well to a more minimalist approach, with its two sections blending together more naturally. Although by no means an excellent performance, Willis demonstrates that despite their poor studio efforts there is some hope for Red Threat live.

Instantly overshadowing Willis' shaky set, Volcanoes take to the Frog and Parrot's tiny stage like they've been doing it for years. Frontman Samson Bedford's personality and presence immediately fills the room, drawing people from the bar to the dancefloor. Tonight they play an excellent set of recently recorded material as well as a couple of new songs, all delivered with the kind of confidence and energy of a band starting to hit their stride. 'Room With The Red Door' is the highlight of the evening, a song that could be a classic in the making and proves Volcanoes are definitely worthy of attention. Although that's not to say their other songs pale by comparison, with début material 'White Russian' and 'The Circus Song' easily holding their own.

It can be quite easy for new bands to rely on one particularly strong song, but Volcanoes quite obviously don't need to. In Samson Bedford they have a dynamic and intense lead singer whose animated stage presence doesn't come across as arrogant or forced, but instead gives them a genuinely likeable persona. Although the rest of the band are component musicians, it's Bedford's tendency to let his performance spill off the stage that makes them truly memorable. Managing to maintain the energy, charisma and interest for the whole set, Volcanoes are one of the most exciting bands on the Sheffield scene.