On a cold and windy March night Demob Happy concluded their latest UK tour in their adopted hometown of Brighton at one of its largest venues. Bolstered by fellow Brighton bands Heirloom and Sick Joy it was very much a local event.
The night began slowly with only a smattering of attendees present as Heirloom took to the stage. With only four songs officially available there were a couple of unfamiliar numbers in their set, but their Nick Cave and Polly Harvey style dual vocals and gloomy Indie backing received a warm and appreciative applause from an ever growing crowd.
Perhaps this was down to Heirloom's assured performance as much as it was in anticipation of Sick Joy taking the stage next. The Alt. Rock/Grunge 3 piece have been steadily building their reputation recently and delivered in spades. There's a definite Nirvana flavour to their work but it isn't derivative and it doesn't feel like a parody. Opening with recent single Dissolve Me and then playing current single Heaven towards the end, this band are clearly looking forwards and judging by their performance here could well break out into wider recognition very soon.
Demob Happy, alongside Tigercub, are certainly Brighton's biggest current band not to have reached UK chart recognition although a support to Jack White certainly broadened their fanbase. Originally form Newcastle they moved down south to find a more vibrant scene and things have taken off for them so far. This felt like a triumphant homecoming show, with a now near-capacity crowd chanting their name and the band revelling in the moment. Their set consisted of a mix of singles and tracks from both their albums, climaxing with a 9 minute medley of Be Your Man and The Beatles' Helter Skelter and if the band can harness good fortune and capture the right moment they could enjoy success similar to Biffy Clyro or Queens Of The Stone Age
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