Birdskulls & Johnny Foreigner get boisterous for Curtain Call 2016

It’s no secret that Curtain Road is a musical hub. After all, the East London stretch is home to some of our favourite studios, record labels and venues, making it the perfect location for a band to really make their mark. Brighton trio Birdskulls have been doing just that over the past month, and this evening - at the first night of shows for Curtain Call, DIY’s new endeavour with Jägermeister – they’ll be airing a brand new track live at the Strongroom Bar, just seconds away from where it was recorded.

First things first, proceedings get off to a noisy start thanks to Brighton trio and Birdskulls besties Gang. All woozy vocals and splayed hair interspersed with crunching guitars, the trio are mesmerising to watch live. Despite finding themselves a little more confined than they’d prefer – meaning they’re not able to throw themselves around as much as usual – they prove themselves to be another talent to come from their ever-expanding local scene.

Continuing with the theme of all things boisterous, Birdskulls burst onto the stage with a hit of glorious feedback before diving headfirst into a wall of scuzz. Blasting through tracks from their debut ‘Trickle’, there’s a power that’s enhanced tenfold by frontman Jack Pulman’s brash but brilliant vocals. Their latest effort ‘Clawing At The Wall’ – the track recorded earlier this month just over the road – glistens in the midst of their set, sounding even more fevered in a live environment. The trio may still be in the early stages of their journey, but tonight’s set proves they boast the potential to be in this for the long run.

By the time Johnny Foreigner take to the stage, it’s safe to say that Strongrooms is warmed up and ready. If any band can raise a singalong, it’s this one and, unsurprisingly, it doesn’t take long for the crowd to start roaring along with Alexei Berrow et al. From their ode to reunions - ‘All Yr Favourite Bands Are Dead’ - and old favourite ‘Eyes Wide Terrified’ right through to one of their more sombre offerings ‘Riff Glitchard’, there’s a sense of passion that sizzles in the air. Charmingly calamitous – buying £1 guitar strings and surviving a set is never easy – but brilliantly witty, they’re a band who you can always depend on for a good time. And as ever, the Brum quartet deliver the goods.