March 19, 2024

Melt Banana to be trapped in Brexit Britain?

“Shield For Your Eyes, A Beast In The Well On Your Hand” is one hell of a name for a track, and the track doesn’t disappoint. When I heard it first, over ten years ago now, I was swept away by the energy of this wall of sound punk band from Japan. I’ve listened to it so many time since it has become personally anthemic, though I have yet to meet anyone in life who has heard and liked it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFwCpw8AQBg

“Shield For Your Eyes…” provoked me into doing a bit more research into the band, one which I knew had always been a darling of John Peel up until his death. Their albums are a bit of a disappointment in contrast, they don’t quite reach the heights though, generally speaking they maintain the fury. The one thing that strikes me about their music is the pace of the guitar playing and the speed of the drumming. They must be one hell of a spectacle to watch. You can imagine the interest I felt, then, when it was announced that the Melts are touring the UK in October.

I had no real conception of what kind of following the band had in the UK, but was expecting that they might have the kind of cult following that would earn them a Wednesday night at the Leadmill in Sheffield. Seems so, though having said that on Brexit day they are playing a pretty smallish pub venue in Cambridge. Could be a great way to go out. Thing is with all the ports jam packed with lorries full of British beef and sprouts, will they ever be able to get out? Imagine that, a Japanese noisecore band marooned on the British Isles – what better inspiration for the album of their life. It would be like listening to a hornet trapped in the window of a French wine shop, during les grandes vacances.

Anyway, if you’re going to watch the Melts you want to check out what I believe to be their latest album here. The last track on the album, a genuine attempt at a pop song, is a belter. The sell outs!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBU5dyv-Tjo

 

Tour Dates

Wednesday 16th October – Dingwalls, London
Friday 18th October – The Caves, Edinburgh
Saturday 19th October – Stereo, Glasgow
Sunday 20th October – The Cluny, Newcastle
Monday 21st October – Gorilla, Manchester
Wednesday 23rd October – Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
Thursday 24th October – Cavern, Exeter
Friday 25th October – Exchange, Bristol
Sunday 27th October – Wheatsheaf, Oxford
Monday 28th October – Hare and Hounds, Birmingham
Tuesday 29th October – Bodega, Nottingham
Wednesday 30th October – The Parish, Huddersfield
Thursday 31st October – Portland Arms, Cambridge
Friday 1st November – The Haunt, Brighton
Saturday 2nd November – Music Room, Ramsgate

 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk3V0j-lRe_vgucQIt71pHQ

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