James Arden checks out the garage rockers latest album.
The Christian rock band from Brighton bring religion to the masses.
Recipe for modern R'n'B album: liberal helpings of guest rappers and an overdose of sexual euphemisms.
![[Spunge]](../../photos/full/1845.jpg "[Spunge]")
Reviewed By Dan Hunter
Often comical but never sloppy, the boys delivered a well-balanced show pulling tracks from throughout their four album, twelve year career. Set staples Kicking Pigeons and Ego kept the classics alive alongside their most commercially successful single Jump on Demand, which had the crowd doing just that.
Despite an unenthusiastic response to singer Jem’s question "who owns the new album?", tracks from their latest, self-titled effort still managed to keep the crowd bobbing and flailing in the continual skanking frenzy that characterised the night. Typically the purveyors of three-minute odes to bad situations and getting over whatever life may sling your way.
Spunge had the audience eating out of their hands, not to mention screaming along with their active, enthusiastic performance.
Spunge have opened up a new avenue in their well-established sound with new material touching on a more serious note, although never served up without an equal helping of ska-punk foolery. Over the years the band have ironed out their songs to live perfection, whilst the soundman deserves a medal or a stiff drink for keeping the sound faithful and clear throughout the night.
Anyone who associates ska-punk with being laid-back has something to learn; the quintet-gone-four-piece were on top form rolling out a set that seemed as tightly planned and practiced as a military operation. Despite recently losing second guitarist Wol from the ranks, lone remaining guitarist Des somehow managed to cover all the essentials and keep the songs faithful without error.
However, the group proved that hard work never comes without a little play, indulging in some onstage banter that delved on the topics of facebook page ‘cleavage corner’, the hazy origins of the Ghostbusters theme song and a night sleeping at Leeds railway station, as well as doing shots of sponsoring beverage Jägermeister and inciting a ‘friendly circle pit’ to be formed. The intimate nature of The Junction’s live room was only heightened by the group’s laddish charm and natural showmanship.
Spunge had the audience eating out of their hands, not to mention screaming along with their active, enthusiastic performance. Despite sarcastic claims from the band - "I don’t know why we still keep coming" - it is clear why Spunge are still doing the rounds: they enjoy doing it just as much as the fans enjoy seeing it. If tonight’s crowd is anything to go by then Spunge have a good stretch ahead of them yet. Room for Abuse? None at all.
You must log in to submit a comment.
