Melt-Banana / Bleach Brain / The Sewer Cats @ Rebellion, Manchester, 5th September 2024
It was another visit to Rebellion in Manchester which is rapidly becoming like my second home, albeit an hour away from where I live, but tonight’s Moving North hosted gig was one of those ‘I’ve waited far too long to see this band and now I finally am’ moments as the Japanese noise rockers, Melt-Banana, moved into town as part of their extensive UK tour.
There was a genuine buzz around the place, as it had been a while since they’ve played the city and as I walked in, Manchester’s The Sewer Cats were in full swing with opening track Lion Heart quickly followed by Pierre. With vocalist and drummer Cass telling us all that they’ve been fans of Melt-Banana ‘since we were nippers’, their brand of hooky punk-esque riffs and aggressive riot grrrl vocals go down well with the rapidly filling up audience.
They are certainly an energetic live band, with Josh on guitars displaying his skills ferociously across their set and Cute Aggression and Get It being two highlights of the set. With their album release show on the horizon, they encourage everyone here to attend as it would ‘fill the venue twice’ before they blast into new song Boo Hoo at the second time of asking, as Cass’s mic disappears at the start. With a keen reminder to not ‘lick the litter tray’ from Cass, they thunder into Parasites before ending with the brilliantly fast and punky Tell Me.
Next up to entertain the masses was Bleach Brain, a trio who formed at Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, and are playing their last UK gigs for a while, as vocalist and guitarist Tash is off to Berlin. With drummer Tom on backup vocals and sporting a rather pleasant ‘Still Hate Thatcher’ t-shirt, they ploughed headfirst into Migrane and The Collector.
With the bass player wearing a lovely poncho, Tash tells us how this is ‘fucking amazing to be playing with Melt-Banana’ and off we go again with as song about crooked old men hitting on 16-year-old girls. ‘I can see some movement, but I want circle pits, turn people into javelins’ shouts Tom before the brilliant Crack. The performance is loud, gritty, energetic and angry, and we are invited to sing six words for their next song The Amp Is Behind The Wall which is a feisty little number.
‘Now we are officially introduced, you have to dance for us’ snarls Tash, as Butter and the aggressive PIP are ripped through at some pace before we are invited for a ‘last chance to dance’ with Cum and they get the circle pit they desire to finish off a lively set.
With people still coming in as I stand at my usual perch near the back, Melt-Banana takes to the stage but seem to have a few technical issues with Yako’s laptop before they begin what can only be described as an hour of sheer and utter bedlam.
Now, I’m not going to sit here and pretend to type up all the song titles, as there were some that I had no idea what they were, but they began with Blank Page Of The Blind with the crazy guitar/synth intro, and they just don’t stop. I recognised a few more songs from their latest album 3+5 including Puzzle with that distinctive guitar riff, and Whisperer, when that drum machine kicks in is just mayhem on stage and I’m kind of mesmerized by what I’m watching.
‘It has been 2 years since our last UK tour, we are very happy to be here again’ says a smiling Yako, before they veer off into more chaos. After thirty plus years together, they are like a well-oiled machine and consummate professionals, who know how to get the crowd moving. They could fit into so many categories of music; dance, grind, punk, metal, drum and bass, and they are captivating to watch.
‘We have a new record out, called 3+5, please check it out’ says Yako before the ticking intro of Seeds and we get a cover song ‘which you’ll all know’ as she shouts ‘yeah, yeah, yeah’ but it leaves both The Shaman and I scratching our heads, as we should know the riff that Agata is playing, but can’t quite figure out what it is.
Like I said at the start, these are a bucket list band for me, and to hear my favourite Melt-Banana song live Lost Parts Stinging Me So Cold was one of those moments I’ll never forget. The truly wonderful Infection Defective is played out and the crowd are going wild, the beat reminds me of a game of space invaders and Yako is in a world of her own, a one-woman rave machine going nuts, but she’s a joy to watch. I just wish I had that amount of energy!!
They arrive back for an encore with the crowd shouting ‘one more song’ but we are treated to four more, beginning with the brutal So Unfilial Rule, I think Lock The Head was next before the trio of short songs was concluded with the genius that is We Love Choca-Pa. As the set draws to its conclusion, we are treated to the somewhat slow and sedate beginning of the marvellous Candy Gun and it brings the house down. With rapturous applause ringing in their ears, they leave the stage, and I have just witnessed a performance masterclass from Melt-Banana that will live long in the memory.
Melt-Banana
Bleach Brain
The Sewer Cats
Scribed by: Matthew Williams
Photos by: Lee Edwards
