News / / 28.02.14

DRENGE

Komedia, Brighton | 25 February

The past is littered with examples of musically inclined brothers who have set out to tread a path that will surely lead them through the doors of countless venues.

Siblings Eoin and Rory Loveless are no strangers to touring or spending countless hours huddled in vans. Having previously toured with Peace and Deap Vally – amongst others – they have slowly crocheted a respectably sized and incredibly supportive fan base on their own terms. Though their roots may lie in Yorkshire, there is the ever present thought that musically their prime influences lies several thousand miles away – specifically, in Seattle. Break down the parts and the flannel shirted rock of Nirvana oozes through the crunching riffs, strained vocals and pounding rhythms.  Like many bands currently working their way into the musical landscape it’s this potent mix of Grunge and Nineties culture that is pushing its way forward, over newspaper spreads and airwaves – attracting a mixed audience of veterans who have seen it all before and younger fresh faced youths who push their way to within spitting distance of the band.

The boys deliver a sweat drenched, stripped back set that wholeheartedly embraces their deep passion for leaving an impression (and it’s one that will remain after the ringing ears brought on by tonight’s noisy assault.) The breakneck riffs of ‘Bloodsports’ feel like they have been viciously ripped from the past and then punched, kicked and unashamedly dragged through the brother’s own dirt until they resemble something that bears the familiar hallmarks and arrives slightly disjointed, but somehow fresher than ever. Other tracks, such as the tenaciously spirited ‘Face Like A Skull’ pound away just as hard with the downbeat and almost heartfelt ‘Fuckabout’ seeing the pair shift down a few gears with the front couple of rows singing back. It’s the nearest there is to a proper sing-a-long tonight and while Drenge have conquered the present, the real challenge for Drenge is deciding how to tackle the future.

– – – – – – – – –

drenge.co.uk/

Words: Nathan Westley

CONNECT TO CRACK