7:00pm - Doors

The doors are open on time, the crowd are pouring into the London Roundhouse, this has suddenly become a lot more real, it's happening, in about two and a half hours time, Smash Up will be walking to the stage.

7:30pm - Sinigaro

The task of a support band is to "warm up" the crowd - this, for Sinigaro is literally the case, it's really quite cold outside! The Pennsylvania metal outfit are quick to make an impact on a brand new crowd as one of two bands making their UK debut, their fast paced metal that's heavily inspired by bands many of which retired years ago accompanied by on stage antics is something that the audience that have traveled from all around the UK, the openers really set the bar for the next act.


8:20pm - Penetralia



The stage was set for the second support band, following ‘Sinigaro’ was another new band on the scene called ‘Penetralia’, listed at the beginning of the year as one of the ones to watch for alternative aficionados throughout the new year and they backed up such build-up with a top five debut single titled ‘Cupid’s Scythe’, a surprisingly high position for a heavier rock outfit, certainly not a shabby way to introduce yourself to the waiting world.
The lights flickered on after a good fifteen minute break following the opening performance from ‘Sinigaro’ and the four-piece Californian outfit made their way onto the stage to a pretty positive reaction, still very much unknowns at this moment in time, they assembled themselves onstage quite quickly and lead singer ‘Koda Espinosa’ addressed the crowd immediately, “How’s everybody doing tonight?” he said, his American west-coast accent and unconventional good looks already appearing to get a large portion of the female audience onside with a string of noticeable screams, “We’re called Penetralia, and we’re gonna play a couple songs for you tonight.” he says as the band behind him dive straight into action, for their opening number.

The lead and bass guitar combine to create an eerie powerful sound which is mirrored by the frontman’s heartbroken heavy rock howl as he fires out it’s emotive lyrics, “If you really wanted me to feel this way/You could have just done it and f*cking left me alone/Why the f*ck didn’t you just say?/That you wanted me to pay?” the dramatic nature of the instrumental increases with the sound of the drums and with more urgency the brief opener comes to an end with the final thoughts from the lead singer, “I’m just watching from the side-lines/Hoping someday you’ll get what you deserve/But life doesn’t go my own way/I can’t run from the demons that you littered in my life/The heart that you burnt is still alight/And I still hear your voice in the …” he pauses for a couple of brief seconds, giving the guitarists Beau and Gunner the opportunity to kick things into full speed as the opening song leads into the second with Koda screaming “Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight!” and the second track from the band begins with a higher energy and tempo, so much so that the three guitar-wielding musicians begin to use the stage, throwing their bodies around in an instrumental before Koda steps back up to the microphone and throws out lines that the audience seem to take in with ease, “I’m tired of living this nightmare/Tired of it all/I’m done being brave/Now I just think f*ck it, watch me fall.” appear somewhere in the opening verse of the song titled ‘Dreamless’ and are matched with the closing thoughts on the second song, “F*ck all of this hope/F*ck the greatest expectations/F*ck my good intentions/And your attempted flirtations/I’m better off without dreams/Better off without you/I’m wonderless/I’m dreamless/Darlin’ I’m a f*cking mess”

It didn’t take long for the band to get the audience on their side, it’s an audience that is still trickling in through the doors as is usually the case for many supporting bands and Koda is quick to address the positive vibes from the fans that have decided to catch one of the opening acts, “Yo’ I just wanna say, you guys are f*cking awesome!” cue the cheers but slightly beaten by the girlish screams, “We know it’s not really ‘cool’ to catch the support acts … and you guys probably don’t know us … and you guys can’t exactly sing along to songs that you’ve never heard before … but it doesn’t mean you can’t have a f*cking blast!” he says with a huge smile on his face and the band fire ferociously into the next song, titled ‘This Is A Battlefield’, a song about family, the band are on form as a whole so far this evening, the drummer appears to be extremely gifted to continue at such a pace throughout and one thing this band appear to have is boundless energy and passion to give their all, along the way there may be the occasional slip-up, ‘This Is A Battlefield’ is a good song, but it feels a little middle of the road, the sort of theme done before many times and probably better but the band and the audience persevere for two songs that close their setlist perfectly.

As the third song from ‘Penetralia’ ends, lead singer takes another opportunity to interact with the crowd, “You guys deal with a lot of sh*t from American bands that come over here complaining about your weather. It is cold out there, it’s crazy that you guys lined-up around the block to get in here early. But we don’t want to patronise you, in fact … we want to turn the tables … I want you all to give us sh*t about the weather we have where we’re from.” he looks out at the audience and gives a smile, “On the count of three, I want you all to stomp your feet, or clap your hands and chant … I don’t give a f*ck about your California sun” the audience erupts into cheers and Koda counts to three, everybody appears to take part in this request as the chant, “I don’t give a f*ck about your California sun! I don’t give a f*ck about your California sun! I don’t give a fuck about your California sun!” echoes around the building, those still entering the venue late missing out on a unique moment. As the chants continue, lead and bass guitarists Beau and Gunner play the intro to the only song from the setlist that the audience might be familiar with, their debut single ‘Cupid’s Scythe’.

The words of the final verse echo around for a couple of moments, “Pierced by cupid’s scythe/Together in hell/Never alive/Tearing us apart/With poison and blood /Pierced through our heart” and the audience make the most of this new bands only familiar track, but for the final song, ‘Penetralia’ manage to get the audience in a state of complete enthusiasm, surely the main goal of a support act as they fire into a song called ‘Keep Your Demons’, it’s lyrics have a darkness to them, but the music is fast-paced and energetic which gets the crowd moving, Koda erupts into full voice as he fires out the songs main refrain, “I say, keep your f*cking demons/And I’ll keep mine/Keep your f*cking demons/I’ll keep mine/Just keep your f*cking demons/And I’ll keep mine/Perfectly flawed/Until the end of time” and with that, the audience cheer the band offstage, the guys from ‘Penetralia’ will surely be pleased with the account they gave of themselves and will certainly be hopeful of gaining a few new followers after tonight’s showing.

SETLIST;
I Still Hear Your Voice In The Night
Dreamless
This Is A Battlefield
Cupid’s Scythe
Keep Your Demons


9:25pm - Five minutes, guys...

With all the necessary warm ups and pre-show rituals done just in time, the call is made by the bands tour manager who waits to escort them to the stage door, all the work they've put into the rebirth of Smash Up has lead up to this, and as the five leave their dressing room, there's a dead silence in the crowded corridors of the venue, all until the lights go down in the room, where a deafening scream is let out by 3,000 people, "I can't remember the last time I was this nervous for a gig" says Dan, but now is no time for nerves, because it's happening.

9:30pm - Smash Up

The crowd is alight with cameras and phones looking to capture the moment where Smash Up walk on stage together for the first time under the bands name since 2009, and for the first time every with a new line-up.
The two new boys James & Chris are quickly followed by the three band mates and do absolutely nothing for a minute, just look out on a sea of white lights and flashes, just stand in darkness and take the moment in until Jake leads the way with his distinctive heavy guitar tone playing the opening riff to Collateral.
"Don't make me have more blood on my hands...." Dan shouts as the opening line is belted out by the sell-out crowd. "What is it?!" he screams, as he's answered by over three thousand people who scream the world collateral back at the band as they proceed to open with a song which they have never opened a show with before, and it's like they never took a break.


James Holloway enjoying life behind the Smash Up kit

Note perfect, Dan Servente's voice standing as strong as it ever has, James Holloway being the a focus for a lot of people making the drumming look easy and the classic energy that people come to expect from the band, they take not time at all to continue into the next song as they go on to play yet another song from 2008's "Tomorrow We Die" album which has a fan favourite for years (and also possibly one of the heaviest songs the band has ever produced) "Bloody Mary" causes nothing short of chaos in the crowd, UK crowds are usually one of the most energetic in the world however it's something that would surprise the smallest basement hardcore shows and biggest rock and metal festivals, there's a face of genuine shock on long-term bassist Ollie Williams' face! However there's no time to stop, a quick transition from 2008 to 2010 sees the band break into the song Take What You Want and Leave from platinum-selling album The Concept is followed by another song from that very album in the form of the song I'll Just Forget.

"A lot of people called the song this album was from a total piece of shit" Dan tells the crowd over the quiet feedback that can still be heard from the end of the previous song. "I was one of those people, and to this day I still regret releasing some of the songs that we had on that album, but there is one song in particular we will never tire of playing" he goes on to say as Jake begins the clean guitar of Hearts On Fire - the second single from the bands 2009 "Pieces" album.
Hospital, Yours, and Kicked Out (all from 2007's Blame God album) are three songs which haven't been performed by the band since 2008 and are, in fairness, songs that don't really grab the attention of a lot of the crowd who don't seem too familiar with the bands choice, maybe even some confusion as to why the band have selected this gig to play them, however it's quickly cleared up by the Smash Up frontman.


Dan Servente leads the band as if they never left

"We didn't want to come here and play a gig where you hear our so called greatest hits for an hour and a half so we thought we'd throw some oldies in, they're fun to play and bring back a lot of memories for some of us, and I hope you guys feel the same, however looking at some of your faces you thought they were new or something!" he laughs. "The next song is one you won't be familiar with either because it's the first time anyone outside of this band and our production team has heard it" is a sentence that you could hear about half of due to the eruption of the crowd realising they were about to hear new Smash Up music for the first time, the sense of anticipation similar to the one that came as soon as Sinigaro left the stage returns instantly as Servente introduces the song as "The Wolf" which is the second song from the bands upcoming release Crowns.
The song brings the kick and aggression that the title suggests, it totally strays away from the punk roots that the band have possessed over the last 10 years but at the same time, somehow, you know that they're still there. A cliché but you can hear, even from the three and a half minute long song how much the band has matured since coming back, many people hoping that this song will be the standard of the others on the upcoming release.

Once the band finish playing the song, they walk off stage for a mere thirty seconds before coming back on to play the title track of the first of 2008's double release - Confessions, and the title track of the second album of that year, title Tomorrow We Die.

"Now listen" to says to get the attention of the crowd. "I need you guys to let me talk for a couple of minutes, because there was one thing on everyone's mind when this band got back together and I, personally, feel that it's important to address the situation because there has to be a balance of remembrance and also acceptance, I know you all know what I'm talking about.
On April 14th 2011 I had a phone call that scared me more than anything and also broke my heart when I found out that someone I'd known for over fifteen years had died at the age of 24, that man was Luke Jell, who I started this band with back in 2004." but before Dan can continue he is simply met by a round of applause and a few cheers, there's a feel of respect and understanding in the room, it's very peaceful and it's something that the vocalist can't conjure up a response to, however Ollie applauds the crowd for the gesture that the 3,300 of them showed.


Ollie Williams looks a revived man in the new Smash Up era

"There was only one person who could ever take the place of him, someone who knew him longer than me who I'm going to ask to stand up behind his kit right now, and I just hope that you can welcome him as one of your own, he's been behind the scenes with us for so many years alongside the man stood on my left Mr. Chris Davis, so London, please make some noise for our new drummer, Luke's best friend, the only one who could ever go behind the kit instead of him, James Holloway!" and as his name is called out, the drummer, as well as new guitarist Chris are met by a wall of noise, there really wasn't much tension to begin with, however the little that there was has now vanished.

"I'm going to stop talking now and we're going to play a few songs for you because that's why you're here right?!" Dan shouts as the drums build up for the start of "The Concept" (the title track to 2010's album) is played followed by Ashes of Dawn and the song Winter, a song from 2009's Pieces, which has only been played about a dozen times prior to tonight. As the last note of the song ring out a simple "Thank you London" is screamed over the venue's PA as James counts in the band to play Mr. Dark, and knowing that this could be the last song (despite the obvious encore that will follow) the crowd find their energy that it had once Smash Up came on stage, nothing is said by any of the members as they leave the stage at the end of the song.

A couple of minutes go by and the introduction track from the bands 2009 tour is played over the venues PA system before the band walk back on stage and "Moron" is played to the delight of fans - a song which was one of the best selling singles of 2008 didn't appear in the bands final show in 2011 so they've made amends here with a few thousand fans!

"This is the song that will be the first on the new album, it's called Crowns, let me see you move again London, you don't have long to do it!" Dan shouts at the crowd once again, and it proves true because the song is just over two minutes long, similar to The Wolf, it's a song full of energy just like The Wolf, but before the crowd get too involved the song is finished. A single hit of a note stops the whole thing.

The band stand still and look out on the crowd who clap and chant the bands name back at them, as they take this image in, it's clear by the expression on Dan, Jake, and Ollie's faces that they're missed playing shows, Chris doesn't seem to know how to react! James isn't familiar enough to this yet, but with a busy 2014 it's something the two new boys may have to get used to, so be it maybe not so intense but regardless, it's a great moment to take in.

Dan says nothing at all, a simple thumbs up and a smile to the crowd before screaming the first line of City of a Million Lights to end the song, another single from The Concept, one last song for the fans who have turned up for the night that one of their favourite bands officially come back. A set that lasted over an hour and a half ends with the last single the band released nearly four years ago.

As the last few bars are played "We'll see you next month!" Servente tells the crowd before dropping his microphone on the floor of the stage, climbs into the press pit and over the barrier to be as close as possible with the fans, his bandmates on stage throw their picks, water, towels and drumsticks into the crowd before leaving the stage leaving their frontman on top of the front of the crowd, he gets back to his side of the barrier eventually, uses a security guard as his climbing frame to get back on stage and gives a little wave before leaving. As the house lights are turned on the crowd goes nowhere as they applaud the empty stage.

Setlist:

Collateral
Bloody Mary
Take What You Want And Leave
I'll Just Forget
Hearts On Fire
Hospital
Yours
Kicked Out
The Wolf (first live performance)
Confessions
Tomorrow We Die
The Concept
Ashes Of Dawn
Winter
Mr. Dark

Encore:
Moron
Blood Diamond (first live performance)
City of Million Lights

ooc: Penetralia set written by C4AJoh and this was the first time that I've done something as in depth as this so go easy on me! I'm used to writing live sets as reviews, but never anything in this style so sorry if it's a little shitty!

Edited by user 03 February 2014 09:33:02(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Deadeye: I extremely enjoyed the gig until I fell off the stage. That kinda hurt.

Ollie: Well I hope we share the stage again soon, pleasure meeting you guys! Well Deadeye, That looked a little painful to be honest but I've done it a couple of times before!

ooc: thanks man haha! :)