Live in Liverpool - The Howlers
With support from The Merchants and Rosellas
On a rainy, rainy Saturday in Liverpool I took the descent into EBGBS cavernous basement to watch self-proclaimed East London desert rockers, The Howlers. With an industrial domed ceiling and strip of purple lights leading to the stage, EBGBS has an authentically Scouse atmosphere.
Within 5 minutes, I’ve already ticked off my favourite gig bingo sighting; a middle-aged man in jeans dancing to the pre-gig playlist. He’s seemingly already had a skin full and continues to top up his buzz, pint in hand. Despite watching the support act set up he looks genuinely surprised that the music he was dancing to turns off and the band begin. But of course his disorientation doesn’t last for long and within 10 seconds he’s living his best life, dancing like a Gallagher brother.
The Support
The Merchants kick off the evening with a classic four piece set up. Like a combination of The Cribs and Pigeon Detectives with a sprinkle of Oasis for good measure, their set was strong. I loved the guitar riffs and nonchalant Peroni glugging throughout. Hostile was my favourite song of their set; it was fun, fast and had an indie sleaze energy that I love.
Next up was Rosellas, hailing from Manchester they came on with a certain swagger and attitude. A guy in the crowd pitches up in a corner by the stage, chonging on an e-cig he exhales and EBGBS is transported back to the 90’s. The smoke dances across the lights and Before The Storm begins, with a Spike Island energy the lead singer puts his fingers through his hair and I have to stop and listen. It was unmistakable that they’d come from the other end of the M62, their music sounds distinctly Mancunian with the stage presence to match.
The Howlers
The stage is dark, the soundtrack of a Mexican standoff echoes through the room. Adam, Guus and Tom take to the stage, and we know we’re in for a great performance. The whole show is well produced with a slick set list, magnetic stage presence and a complimentary lighting design. I was blown away from the start.
Adam gestures the crowd to move forward, and we willingly obey, the vibe goes up a notch. Tom shows off his drumming prowess for Once Again and I struggle to stand still. With every song it feels like the band go up a gear and just when you feel like it can’t possibly get any better, it does.
Effortlessly cool, with their unique sound the boys all look like they’re having the time of their lives and I can’t help but smile. It’s a joy to watch.
I’ve already mentioned the lighting design, but I really need to emphasise how good it was. It’s a little thing but makes a big difference, impacting the whole show for the better. The likes of which you don’t often see on towns and city tours, it’s sets them apart as a band that are really taking their show seriously. Making it seriously good.
Leather jackets, stripes and snoopy for good measure, the boys are f*cking cool and so is their music. It’s theirs and nobody else’s. Despite the turnout, the band play with everything they’ve got - they deserve for this room to be full. I personally will be forming an army to storm the barrier next time they’re in Liverpool.
The harmonies, the drumming, the guitars, Adam’s voice - did I mention the drumming? Even when they slow it down for When the Flowers Bloom Again my heel is tapping away. Adam’s voice floats over like a Troubadour.
I’m at an all-time high when they play El Dorado. Like any seasoned gig goer, I’ve been listening to their newest release with increasing frequency for weeks in anticipation of seeing it live. And it did not disappoint.
Often when I watch a band there’s one member that sticks out as special but The Howlers are perfectly matched. Adam is the ideal front man, confident but not arrogant and lets the crowd come to him. Guus plays like the bass is an extension of him, it’s effortless. Watching Tom drum is genuinely exciting, he’s incredibly skilful but somehow looks like a kid on Christmas morning, loving every second. They are all born musicians.
if you’re not listening to The Howlers, you should be! They have their own sound, with poetic lyrics, Adam’s distinct vocal tone and imaginative accompaniment. Their music is ambitious, refreshing and somehow finessed with an effortless musicality. They are pros through and through. They aren’t that band cobbled together trying to find a path, they know themselves, they know their sound and honestly deserve to be selling out arenas.