The Bodega Social in Nottingham is buzzing tonight and it is little wonder as the Nine Black Alps have rolled into town. The Mancunian quartet have been causing a stir with their grungy rock sound and this small venue on Pelham Street is absolutely rammed in anticipation.Second album Love/Hate has been released to rave reviews and the band have even been described as the Saviours Of Rock in some quarters. There is definitely expectation for a top notch performance and luckily the lads deliver - and then some.
From the get go, the Alps launch into an exciting, energetic and damn right entertaining set. Catchy guitar riffs and distinctive choruses mean that practically every song could be a potential anthem, played at Indie discos across the land. The crowd seem to know most of em, jumping and dancing along throughout - it's as if the Alps are already playing a greatest hits set.
Crowd interaction is kept to a minimum but this hardly matters as it gives the band time to play loads of songs from their arsenal of gems. There is a hardly time to breathe as tune after tune arrives in quick succession, the gig rocketing along at an exhilarating pace.
Bitter End and Unsatisfied induce brilliant sing-alongs and Every Time I Turn forces me to bring out the air guitar. I would have felt like an idiot but fortunately several others are doing the same.
The similarities to Nirvana are obvious and in the smoky venue it almost feels as if we are in the video for Smells Like Teen Spirit. But the band also stamp a bit of their own style on proceedings to create a hugely refreshing and original sound. A little bit of Oasis creeps in to show that the boys have not forgotten their Manchester roots.
Rapturous cheers greet the end of each song and it is clear that Nottingham loves the Nine Black Alps. And when front-man Sam Forrest and guitarist David Jones don Robin Hood hats it appears that the feeling may be mutual.
We eagerly await their return, but one feels that they may be playing somewhere slightly larger next time. It was a privilege to watch them at somewhere as intimate as the Social, because if they are not playing bigger venues pronto then it will be a great injustice.
You Know You're Right: Dan Palmer
With The Lights Out: Lisa Mayfield
