The Gnarwhals
The Hatchet | 16 September
Tuesday night at the Hatchet, Bristol’s oldest, err, metalest pub. There’s a clear divide between the pub’s regular hard rockers and the trendy kids with skateboards, who had turned up for the small but highly anticipated show by local skater punk trio, The Gnarwhals.
After nodding along to 3 sets from pleasantly amateur local indie bands with clear pop-punk influences, the audience’s excitement for the headline act transformed the event from ‘mildly entertaining’ to ‘actually hardcore’ within the first 30 seconds of their set.
The Gnarwhal’s are Jamie Cruickshank, Tom C-T and Felix Drake, three school friends, who have been playing locally since 2010. Initially a spoof, the band’s genuine musical talent has drawn much interest since then. Perhaps to their surprise, their future looks big.
With a growing cult fanbase made up of friends and local youth, the Gnarwhals have enough charm to see loyal fans returning to their gigs without fail. Whilst the turnout of around 40 might not be statistically impressive, incessant moshing and crowdsurfing shows that the Gnarwhals don’t need a large crowd to put on a good show.
It’s not only the band’s courage that shows their sincere enjoyment in the music. Their passionate lyrics about mundane topics (partying, weed, beer and skating) strike a chord with their small, devoted army. The Gnarwhals are capable of making songs that, pretty much, have the same theme as a Miley Cyrus chart topping single, without being extremely irritating. That said, the band’s lyrical agenda can’t be passed off as merely hedonistic fun. With songs like Thrash for You and Super Saiyin Skull Fuck, it’s hard to say that the Gnarwhals don’t address address harder matters, like love and unpopular politicians.
Unfortunately, at the flick of a light switch, the Gnarwhal’s set was cut short half an hour early, and the audience’s sweaty, red, smiling faces were revealed, glowing with ecstatic delight.
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Words: Billie Monier-Stokes
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