Adam Vallely
It is great to see False Advertising back in London after some time. The alt-grunge Manchester trio have become a staple in the underground scene the last few years and always a joy to watch. Vocalist/guitarist Jen Hingley attempts to wake up the venue by standing edge of stage and belting out a scream as the rhythm section bowls into Brainfreeze bop ‘You Said’. Keeping their positive energy going into ‘You Won’t Feel Love’ the onlookers start shuffling their feet (maybe slightly reluctantly as it is a Tuesday night?). Even if the crowd are a little flat tonight this is not a reflection on the energy and delivery from the band.
We get a taste of what Jen and co have been beavering away on in recent months with some stellar new material with ‘Cool Story’ (working title), ‘Acid Rain’ and brand spanking new single ‘Personal Space’. The latter pulling inspiration from legends Reuben and leaning into 90’s grunge territory. Fuzz laden guitar, changes in pace and volume. The track coincidentally gets played on Radio One whilst they are onstage. And from this performance and their hard work up to now it is well deserved to be played on mainstream radio.
They close with the bass fuzz laden grooves of ‘Influenza’ and ‘Wasted Days’ which close out a solid head nodding, foot tapping set. Bring on the new record.
Alpha Male Tea Party, comic by name and comic by nature which we will cover in a second. Arguably one of the top tier instrumental math rock bands right now. Consistently pulling huge crowds at the likes of ArcTanGent every time they play it is no surprise, they have been filling rooms up and down the country on this tour. Hopefully their energy would jumpstart some movement in the room.
They certainly set the tone for what will happen over the next 45 minutes by walking onto what can only be described as the most disgusting dance remix of ‘Sweet Caroline’.
But they are not just here for laughs, the talented trio are here to showcase 2020’s Infinity Stare. Bursting into opener ‘God U.N.I.T.’ Ben’s bass and Greg’s drum playing a huge rumbling dinosaur. Tom’s guitar shining through with his intricacy. All three locked into each other in perfect synonymity as they plough through ‘They’d Get The Guillotine’ and ‘Bonfire Disaster Movie’. Ben going full bass-face with high kicks adding some additional visual entertainment. Slowing up on slightly to play the spatial ‘Leather Diamond’ where Tom’s guitar playing really opens and glitters. A reminder that the latest album is a stride forward for them.
Before they dive into older material Ben brings their humour as their secondary weapon dropping some comic jibes at Pearl Jam in multiple face offs against things that are clearly worse than the grunge band, such a Michael Gove’s educational policy. Some in the room agreeing with his disdain for Eddie Vedder. Others not best pleased to his amusement.
They also joke about not being a ‘well-oiled machine’ but this is far from the truth. Even in such a small room the dynamic and control between quieter and full throttle parts are exceptionally executed. Greg’s drumming a perfect example considering at his loudest he could easily drown out Tom’s intricacies, but that’s why these three work so well together. A chemistry they have built over years.
They cover ground from their back catalogue including ‘Don’t You Know Who I Think I Am’ and fan favourite ‘You Eat Houmous, of Course You listen to Genesis’. Tom’s guitar creating vocal like lines. Leaving the stage ever so briefly to return to an encore of ‘Have You Ever Seen Milk’ and deep cut ‘Truffles’. The latter leaving the night on a full energy driven hard rager.
A Pearl Jam song plays over the PA as this math-rock machine rightfully receive applause as they exit stage right.
What’s worse, Pearl Jam or Alpha Male Tea Party?
Tonight Pearl Jam come worse off.