Boy Kill Boy

Boy Kill Boy play to a half full room, the other half are either in the boozer, still on route, or outside smoking. The five piece (it’s the in thing to sport extra band members) are undaunted by this being the opening night of the tour, and get straight down to fizzing energetic punk rock.

“Destroy, Destroy!” chant Chris Peck and his band and ‘On and On’ is paced rock given a pounding drum beat by Shaz, whose kit has been pushed up to the edge of the stage, so that Athlete’s equipment is ready for use behind Boy Kill Boy.



It’s nice to see an act all perched on the front like this, the synths and drums force a driving rhythm riffed up with guitars and with a different crowd, this would go down a storm. They remind me at this point of The Alarm, and I remember a sweaty throng here to see them ages ago. Tonight the crowd are still, silent; they’re here more for Athlete and there is a wide variation in their age.

The band, having presented themselves as punks, sleeveless shirts, tight jeans and battered guitars, suddenly change tack. New song, ‘Be Somebody’ is much less ballsy, more radio friendly and ‘Loud and Clear’ with an oriental-shot descending synth intro and guitar kick, both show the band have compromised raw energy for a pitch at chart success.

Singer Peck is electrocuting his face every time he touches the microphone, and isn’t happy, he tells us Shaz used to go to Exeter university, and introduces ‘Civil Sin’ from their first album. Again, the band are more punky, raw rock and I much prefer it.

The "ants on my face" microphone is replaced, and with it, all signs of the vitriolic energy also unplugs, the band switch to the business of selling popular records. ‘Paris’ is so designed to be a hit, it’s one of those songs that shows a more gentle musical direction, one which shows why they’re here - supporting Athlete. As does ‘Promises,’ the indie synth sound is boosted by a Cure inspired ‘Love Cats’ type beat, and is the new single due out in March. It’s a decent tune, expanded by the additional guitar fuzz of temporary member, here tonight, DC.



‘Suzi’ is of course already a jerky indie hit, with its pulsing beat, and huge hook chorus, it’s the best song of their showcase tonight.

Boy Kill Boy offer an interesting musical journey from careening punk, to jerky indie, to the new more musically complex, emotional stuff, the music that’s designed to be a wide audience commercial success. Assuming ‘Promises’ and ‘Paris’ get radio play then BKB are about to jump trains from indie one hit wonders to kitchen radio stars, in the mould of the band they support tonight, Athlete. It’s worth going to see them now, to witness this embryonic transformation.

FUTURE GIGS

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