Live Review

Menace Beach, McClusky’s, Kingston

22nd January 2015

They tear into each song like they have a point to prove.

Words: Louis Haines
Photos: Abi Dainton
26th January 2015

It’s just days after the release of debut album ‘Ratworld’ when Menace Beach take to the stage at local shop Banquet Records’ New Slang club night. And so, sensing a crowd who aren’t necessarily there to hear their innermost thoughts on where and how they found themselves, frontman Ryan Needham keeps interludes brief. A quick thank you between each song is all, before Nestor Matthews cracks his sticks together to instigate the next salvo.

Opening with ‘Drop Outs’, that cushion of feedback so familiar, all woozy cool and hair pushed behind ears, by mid-set the audience are drawn in, as the distinctive personalities on stage serve up their appealing catalogue of fuzzed out gems. Needham’s quirky, jerking lead role contrasts with Liza Violet’s detachment, as they execute their music with a precision that belies the sound AND the message. ‘Tennis Court’, ‘Come On Give Up’, and ‘Fortune Teller’ ooze with sloppy nonchalance, the irony of slacker anthems being delivered to an audience of students seemingly evaporating as they waft out of the speakers. They tear into each song like they have a point to prove.

Back in December they said their aim for 2015 was to “not do anything shit”. Well, Menace Beach stayed true to their word, and out slacked the slackers tonight by just not giving a fuck.