Yuck & Thud christen MOM Livehouse with rock ’n’ reverb [Review]
Yuck’s psychedelic lighting and fuzzy guitar crowned new venue MOM livehouse in Fortress Hill. On their third visit to the city, British-based indie rockers Yuck christened new venue MOM Livehouse, a very rock ’n’ roll basement in a Fortress Hill shopping centre. The room was already full for local shoegazers Thud, who have found themselves under Yuck’s wing after lead singer Max Bloom remixed a track on their debut album and invited them on tour.
The local five-piece battled sound mixing issues, awkward pauses between songs and a guitar changeover to deliver a solid and transporting opening set, which culminated in the spine-tingling synths of new song Prime of Pride.
Yuck walked onstage to excited screams, and opened with tracks from their recently-released third album, Stranger Things, rocketing through the upbeat sounds of Cannonball, Hearts in Motion and Holing Out.
Again, the sound levels were initially iffy with voices getting lost in the mix. However, the show blossomed during Lose My Breath, from 2013 album Glow and Behold. Its catchy vocal hooks and harmony between Bloom and singer/bassist Mariko Doi set the course for an evening of bittersweet noise-rock inspired by Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr. and Asobi Seksu.
By the time the gorgeously shimmering reverb of As I Walk Away started, the band had hit their stride and a great show was forged.
Tracks from Yuck’s self-titled 2011 debut drew some of the loudest cheers of the night, while guitarist Ed Hayes’ backing vocals and cheerful melodies got fans jumping.
Stranger Things sees Doi play a larger vocal role, and her carefree rendition of As I Walk Away was one of the highlights of the night. She also made light work of The Wall before going back to her roots for a cover of Happy End’s classic ode to summer, Natsu Nandesu.
Bloom led tear-jerker Yr Face for the encore, before finale Georgia commanded an enthusiastic shout-along of “I’m still in love with you!”