Live Review: Howler

The Cluny – 1st February

After the release of debut album America Give Up in January, the indie-rockers make their Newcastle debut.

Howler’s members look like they could be from five different bands, or even five different decades; from the slicked-back quiff of the Hawaiian shirted guitarist, to the floppy fringe and oversized jumper of the singer. They mix their styles, both visually and musically. They don’t mix their Jack Daniels.

The singer guzzles the stuff as he shuffles about the stage, climbing up and banging his head on a precariously wobbly speaker. At one point he settles on the floor, lounging against an amp, microphone lolling in his hand as the vocals become drawlier than usual. The rhythm guitarist decides to join the drummer for a minute or so of communal percussion as a lively distraction until he gets up again. He does. It’s fine.

Someone throws apples onstage. Apples. Some get thrown back, some get bitten after two songs on the floor, some get crushed on each other’s foreheads. Odd dynamics, Howler. They’ll tell everyone to look at the soundman ‘but don’t pity clap him’, or applaud the drummer (‘my tinky bear’) before mentioning he’s still angry after they poured cranberry juice over his head backstage.

Despite this slightly shambolic scene, they put on a worthy set – a little noisier and more distorted than on record, but still upbeat and melodic enough to dance about to. One bloke is jumping and waving his arms in the air, doing the actions as if S Club 7 have just come on at the school disco. Everyone else seems pretty appreciative; no need to ‘pity clap’ tonight.