Whilst harbingers of doom continue to determine that the Leeds music scene is in a depressed state the bands continue to play and mesmerise: New bands too: Still wet behind the ears! Take Diet Cig as the perfect example Alex Luciano. The Diet Cig singer/guitarist jumps ceaselessly around the stage to Taylor Swifts “Shake It Off” before the end of the sound check and you sort of know that you are going to see something special.
The final night of their debut UK tour at a packed Headrow House in Leeds is an introduction that none are likely to forget in a hurry. Forty minutes of non-stop action and blistering noise from the duo. Who knew that a duo could make such an impact with guitar and percussion?
It sounds like a greatest hits set, which is no mean feat considering that they only have one seven inch single and a cassette EP as their back catalogue but each song feels like an old favourite. All delivered with a ferocious energy by Luciano and drummer Noah Bowman who reminds us of a young Travis Barker, and just as skilful as the Blink 182 drummer too.
There is something about their engaging energy that signposts them as a band to become completely besotted with.
Smashing through the set, it’s only a few seconds into ‘Cardboard’ before Alex mounts the drum kit in a subliminal message way: It tells us that these two are going to be together for the duration. She continues high-kicking and beaming right to the end of the set that nobody in the venue wants to end. Noah may not be high kicking but he is also having as much fun as Alex. His playing adding to a carnival atmosphere. A celebration that this is just the beginning. The impetus they now have will propel Diet Cig right to the top of our favourite bands to see list.
Two nights later and Motionless In White are in town playing to a sold out crowd at Leeds University. Motionless in White describe their genre as "industrial horrorcore", it might be an apt description but it is a little simplistic.
What they have done is bridge a gap between death metal and Goth genres and very successfully, and loudly, have they done it too. At times they are relentlessly criticised as being nothing more than carbon copy rip off of Marilyn Manson. A mite unfair is this especially when they swing into their bellicosely heavy songs where they become a mite unique, rapid-fire through and abundance of majestic hits and new material in the hour-and-a-half-long set. You quickly get drawn into the whole package whether you like them or not and the whole of the crowd were simply transfixed by MIW. Dressed completely in black with the glistening latex trousers you could wish to see, Chris Cerulli cuts a wiry figure together with bassist Devon Sola wearing a Leatherface mask as they tear into Death March. They are of course ably supported by the rest of the band Josh Balz, Ricky Olson, Ryan Sitkowski and Vinny Mauro. You would be exonerated for expecting them to be as happy as a virgin fleeing a vampire, but they can't stop smiling at the audience's passion, shattering the set by joining in with every word perfect while the front row strains to touch them. The highlight is A.M.E.R.I.C.A., with call-and-answer vocals and an immense chorus, and Abigail has a hook that haunts you all night.
It would be remiss not to mention the passing of legends David Bowie and Lemmy from Motorhead. Both have had a massive influence on the music industry. Whilst their loss is greatly felt we should celebrate that without their influence much of the music we listen to today would simply not have existed.
No more is that apparent in the release of post-punk band Savages record Adore Life: The intensity of the record is Lemmy influenced: Lyrically Bowie influenced. A splendid record to show that the loss, although incredibly sad and shocking, they will not be forgotten simply because of the legacy that have left.
