Menace Beach bring Record Store Day to spectacular, rowdy end at The Old Blue Last

“It’s Record Store Day,” announces Menace Beach’s Ryan Needham to the cheers of The Old Blue Last. “I feel like there’s been some people moaning about it being monopolised by the major labels,” he continues, a glass-collecting basket held aloft in the far corner, before taking a slight pause. “Oh fuck off, you miserable cunts, it’s just a bit of fun,” he finishes to yells of agreement before Menace Beach carry on proving just how much fun Record Store Day can be, as they headline a special DIY RSD party.

Leeds two-piece Bruising are on first, bulked up by the addition of two extra members, and their head-rattling scuzz is much more potent for of it. The vocal harmonies cut through their noisy rhythm with finesse, acting as a constant pendulum swing that grounds the whole affair. And it’s an anchor the band relish, as the tumbling thrash of their music swells and crashes without apology or warning. It’s a rowdy marriage that fits The Old Blue Last like a glove and as ‘Honey’ draws things to a pointed close, all hypnotic melodies and crashed dancing, they’ve drawn the audience close to their fire, desperate to hear the details of the story’s end.