December 1st 2007
High Cross Church
RIOTZINE
Date: Saturday December 1st 2007
Venue: High Cross Church, Knoll Road, Camberley.
Bands: Ugmosis, The Rioteerz, Ashes To Angels, Error 404
So it's 4pm on Saturday, Camberley is jammed with Christmas shoppers. We didn't need to be at the Church until 5pm, but we had a few last minute errands to run. Sitting in the traffic waiting to get into the Knoll Road car park I got a text message, from none other than Marky (Error 404) saying they'd be here at 4:23. This worried me slightly, as it didn't seem as if we would get there in time (Yes, the traffic was THAT bad) but my fears were set to ease when we eventually pulled into the car park, and they weren't there yet. After a few more text messages and a very confusing phone conversation, we eventually met up with half of Error 404 (The other half came separately). We were very early and couldn't actually get into the hall until 5pm, so after standing around watching Marky and Davey re-enacting some strange thing I can only assume to be an inside joke for a couple of minutes, I took them on a tour of Camberley town centre... although we didn't get very far – They found Woolworths. (Who's idea was it to put Pick'n'Mix in Woolworths?!) I was amazed by the efficiency and professionalism with which all of Error 404's crew set up the PA system. Slowly the bands began to arrive one by one, and introduce themselves. The atmosphere in the room during the set up alone amazed me- Personally I was absolutely terrified, as I had never done this before and didn't have a clue what was going on, but everyone was insanely friendly (or just insane in Davey's case) and knew what they were doing, which meant I had time to talk with the parents and crew and get myself prepared for the biggest leap I've ever made. If I had tried to do this 5 months ago I would have found it nearly impossible to get the support needed. (Plus I wouldn't have had the guts to try 5 months ago.)
A mad scramble for pizza during the sound check, and a few very interesting conversations later it was time to open the doors and hand control over to the sound engineers.
The first band up were Ugmosis, with their catchy pop-rock fusion of influences ranging from McFly to Elton John, with a bit of Lostprophets thrown in for good measure, they captivated the growing crowd and set off the evening with a bang.
Next on were local favourites The Rioteerz, filling our ears with their covers of everything from Avenged Sevenfold and Iron Maiden to Pickled Dick, mixed with their own brilliant songs.
Ashes To Angels took to the stage and broke our ears with their killer opening anthem "The Serephim Song". (Which is still stuck in my head today- It's now Tuesday!) Their dangerously heavy yet beautifully melodic songs ringing out into the audience and starting off one of the biggest pits of the night. Their energy on stage is mental, they just can't stay still, yet the music is still note perfect.
Last, but by no means least, it was time to watch Error 404 perform. For all of us there (except the people they brought with them) it was the first time we had seen them. Everything about this band just screams professionalism and unbeatable showmanship. From Davey (drums) heckling the crowd, to Marky (bass) throwing stickers at us, bribing the crowd to come closer with offers of glow sticks if they did, they know how to work a crowd. That's not even to mention the music itself, their tight, well rehearsed sound full of life and energy. Never a boring note throughout their set.
9:45pm loomed, and they left the stage to the loving cheers and praise of the other bands and the crowd. Slowly, the get out began, loading everything back into the van and the boots of cars. (I'm sure there was more of it to put back than we go out). After pictures and hugs, and a couple of piggy back rides and strange comments, we finally let them go.
At the end of the night, when it was time to go home, I couldn't help but feel a bit guilty, Error 404 had a 3 hour drive back up to Cambridge, having provided the entire PA and done all of the sound for the other bands. All for pizza and petrol money...This leaves me with two possible reasons in my mind, they're insane, or they have a passion to perform like I have never before seen.
For me, this was a huge step in the right direction for what I want to do in the future, and I hope all of the bands enjoyed it, and all of the people who came to watch and support the local scene left with a smile on their faces. Just walking from the hall to the car I heard at least 4 people say "When are they coming back do you reckon? Where are they from? They were amazing!" which has got to tell you something.
Mr Riot, Mrs Riot, Steve Long, Mr Gilbert, Mrs Gilbert, Mr Rawling, Mrs Rawling, Ollie, Davey, Marky, Shaun, Jamie, Crilly, Kai, Leo, Chris, Ben, Jacob, Lacey, Gaz, Lewis, Woody, Kim, Huck, Dub, Ant, Cheyenne, Richard, Chris, Joe, Jamie, And every single person who came to watch or to help: THANK YOU.
What others thought:
Lacey – The Rioteerz
El RiotZine gigs, do appear to be the business xD. A really good atmosphere in the room that made us all welcome, and a fecking KILLER line up if I say so myself. Thanking you RiotZine, me and the guys hope to attend more in the not so distant future, playing and moshing xDWoody – Ugmosis
Really cool line up and it was awesome to play to some new faces! I love Caz's parents.Marky – Error 404
It was boshty as 'out mate. Waaaa.Rhiannon – Gig goer
The gig was amazing. Ashes to Angels gave a thrilling performance while Error 404 gave a great relaxed atmosphere to end the night. Overall all bands gave a great performance.Cheyenne – Gig goer
An excellent night with a host of talent being enjoyed by all that attended. The atmosphere was amazing, the bands excellent and the gig on the whole was brilliant.Jacob – The Rioteerz
Great bands, great crowd, great sounds [= these gigs just keep getting better, more of the good work RiotZine (Y) [=