The destination is Manchester for what promises to be rip-tearing show of epic proportions! The band is Amyl And The Sniffers and their reputation proceeds them.
That reputation is worn as a badge of honour, as they are one of the most unique acts on the music scene right now. The band have a wide appeal to both younger music fans as well as older Punks. Hailing from Australia, the band are currently on a massive tour and UK fans have a smattering of shows to look forward to. I anticipate sold out venues across the country.
As much of England prepares for the Queen’s Jubilee ‘festivities’ with bunting, Union Jack flags and cucumber sandwiches, the images of the 1977 boat ride down the Thames with The Sex Pistols, giving their own salute to that Jubilee springs to mind. The anarchists’ counter- attack on the senses, standing up for their own beliefs comes to mind. Long gone are the ‘Pistols’ and as this Jubilee looms, Amyl And The Sniffers will make their mark across England. This is not a political statement and I believe Amyl, are one of the boldest bands to have sprung up in recent years who harness that Punk ethos and attitude that we so badly need.
Amyl And The Sniffers are Amy Taylor (vocals), Dec Martens (guitar), Gus Romer (bass) and Bryce Wilson (drums). The band formed in a Melbourne shared house in 2016. The Sniffers wrote, recorded and uploaded their first EP, Giddy Up, in the space of 12 hours. They followed with the Big Attraction EP in 2017, which featured the whip smart and iconic track I’m Not A Loser, the punching oi punk of Westgate and the pugnacious violence of Mole (Sniff Sniff). These early EPs had a grab bag of influences, from Australian rock to rap to 70s punk, but the sound was all the Sniffers’ own — short, fast, loud and funny. The songs first person narrative about subjects such as sex, relationships and insecurities are told without censor or filter and strike a chord with the listener as their songs are relatable, catchy, punchy and raw! That’s how I’d describe Amyl and The Sniffers.
The Albert Hall is nestled in a busy main throughfare in the middle of Manchester and steeped in a rich history, its grandiose interior of stained-glass windows and original wooden features make you feel you’re about to watch a gig in a church. The stage is high, higher than most and dark oak panels circle the interior. The evening sun floods in the windows and adds to the overall ambiance of the place.
To open up tonight’s proceedings were Manchester’s own Bruise Control who are a four-piece band who took to the stage with conviction as they dived straight into their first song. I can honestly say that I was impressed with the band and they put on one hell of a show. The frontman had the audience in his palm and did his job of warming the crowd up for the Sniffers. You need to go check out Bruise Control. What I thought was really cool was that I noticed Amy Taylor come out and watch the guys’ set. It’s always good to see the headline act pay respect to the opening band and care enough to come out and watch them. Judging by the smile on Amy’s face, she was really into the band and liked what she saw.
It was now time to take the muzzle off the evening and as Amyl And The Sniffers took to the stage, the crowd went wild. Amy looked genuinely happy to be on stage and after a few words the band kicked in with GHY followed up with Freaks to the Front. The songs kept coming in quick succession. Shake Ya and Maggot followed, and the roof was well and truly raised.
Amy’s on-stage camaraderie with the audience was palpable. The raw energy and ability to move the way she does whilst blasting out those vocals was reminiscence of Plasmatics’ front woman, Wend O. Williams. Amyl And The Sniffers is just the shot in the arm that Rock n’ Roll needs and it I am in no doubt that Amyl will be taking more ground as they quickly rise to the top! Go and see them now, get to one of their shows and experience it for yourself.
Words and pictures: Stevie Oi!