Birmingham duo GANS defy the great London tube strikes with a packed-out gig in The Lexington on Tuesday.
GANS, made up of Tom Rhodes and Euan Woodman, two lads from the Black Country, have been making a right old racket within the punk-rock music scene as of late. Signed to Strap Originals, Pete Doherty’s label, a debut album, GOOD FOR THE SOUL, set for release next week (19th September), as well as constantly being spun on the radio 6 decks, the duo are currently on a trajectory that is aiming straight on up. Having kicked off their tour in Brighton at the start of the month, GANS finally made it down to London Town on Tuesday night. Despite the current tube strikes putting a stop to many peoples plans, The Lexington was still packed out for GANS. But hey, where there’s a lime bike, there’s a way (if you were lucky enough to find one).
Support came from Manchester based band Hungry, “four white guys – two guitars, one bass, one drum kit, it’s what you’d expect” is how the frontman Jacob Peak introduced them. Charismatic, somewhat chaotic and full of energy from the get-go, Hungry were the ideal opening for GANS. They’re an amalgamation of fuzzy guitars, pounding drums and punchy, guttural vocals. Playing most of the tracks from their recent EP, Are You The Best Yet?, Hungry are the type of band that will suit anyone’s musical palette. They had an infectious energy about them, the crowd constantly edging closer to the stage, trying to catch some of the buzz. “A song about a traditional Irish dance that (they) studied for 3 years” The Jig had the gig-goers moving, loosening up, while a track about “sweet, sweet love” saw vocalist Jacob getting down and dirty with the crowd. They were confident, energetic, had good banter with the crowd and seemed to genuinely enjoy their time playing…Hungry are perhaps a lot more than what you’d expect from “four white guys in a band.”
The familiar jingle jangle beat of War’s Why Can’t We Be Friends filled up the space above The Lexington, both acting as a summoning to those still buying pints, and a silencer to those chatting around the stage. Tom and Euan a.k.a GANS walked out to a full room and cheering crowd, perhaps unexpected due to the strikes, and War’s track cut off just in time for the pair to start causing their well-loved racket. To see GANS live is to immediately understand why Pete Doherty signed them, why radio 6 continues to have them in their rotation. Their presence is immediately all encompassing. The crowd very much giving them their full attention.
As they power through their latest singles, older works and some unreleased pieces from the upcoming album, there is no lack of talent from their pair. A perfect fusion of intense, precise drums, heavy bass and electronic beats, along with shared vocal responsibilities, the duo have homed in and perfected their craft, and it’s impressive to see it all come together live. The warped, almost spiralling beat of IN TIME feels more intense live, the constant crashing of drums, fuzzy bass mixed with the pulsating electronic beats have the crowd throwing themselves together, dancing, it feels like an 80s disco with a weird, dark twist. IT’S JUST LIFE is more of a bone-rattler live, it feels grittier, has the crowd bouncing on the soles of their feet, rearing to go. The duo’s vocals are raw, biting, feel like a punch to the gut, particularly during the protest-like bridge, “money! work! power! freedom! prison! school! success! legion! living! dying! thriving! surviving!”
The energy exuding from GANS into the crowd doesn’t dip once; it only intensifies as the night goes on. Those present are aware they are perhaps witnessing, watching, something special. The punky, fuzzy, country DIRTY COWBOY is both chaotic and fun, while Euan instructs the crowd to “jump” throughout I THINK I LIKE YOU, which is fast paced, shouty, and well…loud, but in the best way. The pair take turns getting into the depths of the crowd, Euan giving up his position at the drums multiple times to crowd surf or have a boogie with those in attendance. It’s clear the pair love what they’re doing, the music they’re making, what it stands for, and the crowd soak that up.
Before they play their latest single NIGHTWALKING, an infectious, dance-worthy track with sultry vocals, the mesmerising strum of the bass and drums that get right under your skin, Tom thanks the crowd for showing up, saying “we’re just two working class lads from the Black Country. This doesn’t happen to people like us without people like you.” And he might be right, but people only show up for the bands that are worth it, and considering London was effectively shut down by tube strikes, the people still showed up…because GANS were and definitely are worth it.
They closed out their set with the final track of their upcoming album, “which is the thing (they’re) most proud of,” and having heard a lot of it that evening, it’s understandable why. Their track WELL DONE was heavy, noisy, and had the crowd opening up the pit one final time, throwing themselves together with reckless abandon. There is something to be said for watching a band on the brink of becoming huge, in a small, intimate setting. It’s hard to imagine GANS playing in small spaces for much longer. As the crowd gave the duo the round of applause and cheers that they deserved, and they stood soaking it all in from the stage, a shared feeling of having witnessed something special, something big, spread across the venue.
The title of their debut album says it all, really. GANS are very much GOOD FOR THE SOUL.
Words by Angela English