A review of The Crucible gig at The Pressure Point, Brighton on 22nd April 2008.
Who are The Crucible?
A three piece hailing from Brighton, Dan - guitar and vocals, Jamie - bass and Tim - drums. They are the winners of ‘The Best Three Piece’ award at the 2007 Glasswerks Music Awards, whilst also gaining nominations for ‘Best Live Act’ and ‘Best Rock Band’.
Developing out of a frustration for commercial pop rock in the charts dictated by industry bigwigs, The Crucible are not only the antithesis of this but confidently put 2 fingers up at it.
The Music
How to describe The Crucible music…progressive, experimental rock, with a multitude of influences, it is difficult to pigeon hole, and I am sure they wouldn’t want me to, but I can say it is certainly massive!
With intelligent song writing, using alternative timings and driving guitar and bass, The Crucible make a sound beautiful one moment, and kick you right where it hurts the next. Each song has a distinctly different feel from the last but still seems to maintain a sound that makes sure you know it is still undeniably the Crucible.
On stage presence and banter
The Crucible are all about the music and experience and seemed to have a well thought out set list. They cleverly linked songs with rifts and jams making the gig a rolling wave of sound, keeping the audience on its toes about what could be coming next.
Their relaxed stage presence makes them a very easy band to like and it was great to see them focussed but enjoying the gig themselves.
Overall they had good audience interaction, chatting and joking with he crowd, but not too much, as let’s face it we are here for the music. The sound they produce from their immense array of equipment (Dan has loads!), from subtle to atmospheric to heavy rifts, certainly does all the talking.
Sound quality and venue
Many a gig has been heard where the venue sound and sound man are…lets say…of dubious quality! Not so for this gig - the sound man on this night was damn good! I think a surprise to even the bands.
The Pressure Point is a well known new music venue on the Brighton gig scene. It has the grime of past gigs worked into the very fabric of the place, but going to a rock gig, this is what I expect. It adds to the sound, the feel and the atmosphere! It is a decent space for the audience, good size stage and raised drum platform for the bands. The staff attitude is somewhat abrupt and rude at times, and you might not want to have too many drinks unless your purse is bottomless. However, I do commend the pressure point for allowing new talent to showcase themselves here – I hope they continue.
The audience
With this rock night put on here weekly by White Noise (& Rock Brighton) I would expect a better turn out, especially as 4 bands were playing. What a great opportunity to see new bands locally for only £1! However there was a definite group of The Crucible fans along with followers of the others on the bill.
The support
The bands playing were GUNNBUNNY, RIOT! RIOT!, THE CRUCIBLE and THANKYOU ANYWAY. The other bands generally had much more of a punk feel to them.
Overall
How they would replicate their unique and very large sound at a live gig was a concern…it needn’t have been. This band has an awesome sound…you have to be there to truly experience how massive it is!
You don’t have to know to what you are listening, to realize that The Crucible are a band taking music forward. Gone are the commercial and standard song layouts, The Crucible sound is an assault on your senses.
I just wish that more locals would support the opportunity to hear new, raw talent right on their doorstep…try it you might like it!
More about
The official website of The Crucible can be found at www.thecrucible.biz or they are on www.myspace.com/thecrucible
Words and photos by Sally Veness
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