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Tonight was all about the power of social media. Squeezing in a few dates around appearances at, both Rambin’ Man Fair and Steelhouse Festival, Crobot omitted a date further north than Blackpool. It seems the #beardos from the Crobot nebula over the border were not happy about this, and began bombarding Crobot on social media about adding a date in Scotland. Lo and behold the band obliged, hence, one hastily arranged date in the rather toasty G2 in Glasgow.
Appearing as main support on the short tour are the artist’s formerly known as The Bad Flowers. Now known as Wolf Jaw, the Cannock based trio still pack the same meaty punch to the ribs, if anything, it’s two punches now.
Recently signed to the ultra cool Listenable Records, album number two is looming large on the horizon and the new material sounds amazing. ‘Hear Me’ in particular is perhaps the most in-your-face that Tom Leighton, Dale Tonks and Karl Selickis have ever been. The new name has brought added snarl to the band, and the good-natured mentalists down the front are really going for it. Paired with another new one, the softer-to-an-extent ‘I Lose My Mind’, it’s an impressive taster for the new album. Mixed in with the newer tracks are fan favourites such as opener ‘Thunder Child’ and ‘Hurricane’, along with a few bars of ‘Symptom of the Universe’ as a tribute to Sabbath.
Karl Selickis is a beast behind his brand, spanking new kit, a whirlwind of hair and twirling drumsticks, alongside him in the engine room is Mr Reliable, bassist Dale Tonks. Combined, they are the potent backbone which allows guitarist/vocalist Tom Leighton to do his thing. He looks like he is having a blast up there, especially on the newer, heavier material, it must be a good feeling for a band when they play a new song and the crowd are really digging it. Album number two should be a belter.
Check out ‘Hear Me’ here and make up your own mind.
So, by public demand, Crobot are here, onstage in Glasgow, on a sweltering Monday night, and I can’t think of a better band to bring the colour to a darkened room. Vocalist Brandon Yeagley is last onto the stage, but what an entrance! Long flowing dark hair, snazzy mirror-coated vest, and what looks like lizard-skin trousers (obviously it wasn’t actual lizard skin, but you get the idea), Aquaman’s hipper brother.
Like Wolf Jaw before them, Crobot have recently went through some changes, in this instance, personnel. Dan Ryan comes in on drums with Eddie Collins handling the role of touring bassist, the spine of Crobot is still Yeagley and guitarist Chris Bishop. The tall, amiable guitarist is the Clark Kent of Crobot. Before their set he’s walking around bespectacled, talking to punters at the merch desk (he also designs all the incredible Crobot artwork), standing watching the support. As soon as he’s onstage, the glasses are off and he turns into this gonzo guitarist with superhuman energy. His guitar is constantly swung round his neck with speed, never looks like a tit though ie. he never misses the catch, or hits himself in the face. He’s jumping on and off the top of his amps like a hyperactive kid after getting the keys to the blue Smarties cupboard, he is a blizzard of energy, he also sure can make that guitar sing.
With the 10.30 curfew not just being a curfew, but a strict curfew, chat is kept to a minimum, except when Yeagley breaks his mic stand, or when he tells the crowd what pub the band will be in straight after the show. New album ‘Motherbrain’ is four weeks off, so new tracks are carefully slotted in alongside more established Crobot material. ‘Motherbrain’ is a much darker, heavier album than its predecessor ‘Welcome to Fat City’, only to be expected after a line-up change, so watch out for ‘Keep Me Down’, ‘Burn’ and the crunching ‘Alpha Dawg’. They take their places in the setlist next to, amongst others, ‘Legend Of The Spaceborne Killer’, ‘Skull Of Geronimo’, ‘Wizards’ and ‘The Necromancer’. It looks like the dreaded curfew shortens the setlist, but the guys down the front don’t care as they are partying like its a Friday night on payday weekend, Yeagley takes time out to thank them for “persuading” the band to show up, and for turning up on a Monday night. Then that’s it, time ladies and gentlemen, please finish your drinks and make your way to the exit, only not as polite.
The change in personnel has not derailed the #beardos train, if anything it’s gave them some fresh impetus. If you are heading up the mountain for Steelhouse Festival this weekend, then be prepared to get jiggy wit it as Crobot are back.
All Crobot tour dates available here.
Review – Dave
Images – Dave J
