“Bring me back to my body.“
California’s own hardcore sweethearts Scowl tore apart Tufnell Park on Friday May 9th. With three bands in tow, the band created a balance of UK and US hardcore that delighted its sunsoaked audience.
Words by Eylem Boz, photography by Amy Shephard – contact Amy prior to any use.
Plastics
With the sun beating down on the all-black clad devotees, eyes adjusted to the darkness of the venue as they filed inside. Spirits were high from the glorious weather and anticipation was even higher for the stellar line-up of the night’s show. First to take to The Dome’s stage was Brighton punks Plastics. Their immense stage presence was a warm welcome to begin the evening. Their delicious guitar tones paired with their almost choreographed synchronicity charmed the crowd, making their excitingly abrasive lyrics and punchy instrumentation even more impactful. The band knew how to handle an audience, and the audience equally knew how to handle the band – raring to go from song one. Their motto of ‘four muckers on a rampage for fun and chaos’ bled through every second.
Bodyweb
Next up was nu-metal disciples Bodyweb. Hailing from Leeds, the band represented the vibrant Northern hardcore scene. As danceable as it is guttural, Bodyweb’s music captures the violence of exploitation movies while incorporating the ambience of artists like Aphex Twin. By incorporating synthesisers the band are backed up by an incessant drone that amplifies the darkness of the music. Live, they pull no punches, frontman Louis Hardy immediately commanding the crowd to tear the place apart before a note was even played. The drum and bass paired with the heavy riffs drove the audience into a frenzy of spin-kicks and swinging arms.
Modern Color
Representing the headliner’s native California was the next act Modern Color. Somewhat of a cult classic, the devoted fans in the audience surged forward, piling up at the front of the stage, ready to be soaked in the mellow tones of the band’s ethereal post-hardcore. Each member of the band treats their instrument as if it were an extension of themselves; their physicality entirely mesmerising against the sullen sound. Vocalist Fleming Valenzuela often pulling his guitar close and balling himself up around it – a sort of David Byrne-esque mannerism. They embody their sound physically, which carries to the audience as they yell the lyrics back to the band with an embodied intensity. The energetic nature of each member’s playing was entirely infectious – it was hard to pull your gaze away from guitarist Chad Leaf, whose face was painted with a grin almost the entire time. He spun, jumped and threw his hands in the air with joy. Every move he made, you could tell that he was having the time of his life, and the feeling carried over. There were many converts to the cult of Modern Color that night.
Scowl
As The Special’s ever topical haunting austerity anthem “Ghost Town” blasted from the speakers, Scowl graced the stage. Frontwoman Kat Moss twirling over to the centre position, her angular dance moves signalling the beginning of the highly anticipated set. Her hypnotic movements beautifully contrasted the ferocious two-stepping she often switched between. Opening with the brash, crowd favourite “Wired“, the room erupted into a frenetic whirlpool of movement. Whether it was those clambering onto stage to launch themselves off, or the people at the back bobbing their heads, there was no stillness at all. The whole band played with a heightened intensity that kept the audience on their toes. Blasting from song to song, physically pulling people forwards as more and more took to the stage to launch themselves at the crowd; Moss dancing with them before their speedy departures. With the softer vocals of their new album “Are We All Angels”, Moss proved herself as a dynamic and enrapturing performer, switching between harsh and soft vocals. A punk rock pixie in her own right, she has all the makings of a hardcore deity. Her signature wispy hair could be seen throughout the crowd in varying colours – the stage her church and the crowd her doting congregation. ‘This is our third time in London, and I think it’s my favourite show we’ve played here’ she declares to a roar of audience cheers.
Since the release of their album, Scowl have received criticism from hardcore purists that the softer moments of their new music have lost them credibility. An opinion I believe belongs to people who don’t know how to have fun. Scowl effortlessly proves live that their hardcore spirit runs through everything they do. They championed the genre, commanding the people to ‘support UK fucking hardcore’, reminding the audience of the incredible scene we have the privilege of surrounding ourselves with. Ending with the cathartic anthem “Special”, the band proved that melodies and poppier vocals have just the same impact as a heavier sound. As its cacophonous drums echoed out the crowd weaved in and out of itself, spinning in chaotic joy underneath the band. As the crowd left the stage and Doechii’s “Alter Ego” blasted over the speakers, the crowd lingered in the moment, not able to bring themselves to leave quite yet.