Twisted Wheel gig review @ The Lamp, Hull 15/4/11 by Gerald Wiley

It is around a year since Twisted Wheel last played The Lamp in Hull and the atmosphere was alive with expectation for Liam and Noel’s favourite support band. Jonny Brown sauntered around the venue beforehand looking decidedly relaxed. Of the support acts, the undoubted favourites were local Hull band and “ones to watch” The Black Delta Movement. This four piece, play a mix of psyched out, 60’s tinged garage blues. A 25 minute set concluded with many of the crowd shouting for more. A short wait as the bands swapped gear onstage and the club was ready. As soon as Twisted Wheel took to the stage to the sound of Lucy The Castle, the wilder element of the crowd immediately invaded the stage and began the crowd surfing that continued throughout the performance. The last time Twisted Wheel played Hull they brought their own security; they ditched it this time deciding on a sound engineer instead. Something they probably regret with Jonny’s monitor being knocked out early on during their set. The set list was a mix of new songs from their up and coming album due later this year and the majority of their debut release. Listen out for “New Boy” “Better Man” and especially “UK Blues” The band rolled out the favourites “Bad Candy,” “She’s A Weapon,” “Oh, what have you done,” ”You Stole The Sun”and “Strife” amongst others. However, the new stuff sounds pretty good too – probably a little more melodic than their last release but with a spiky, punky feel. The energy of the band, the frantic playing of the Epiphone/Rickenbacker guitars and the sound they produce invoke the spirit of 1976 with a distinct punk / new wave feel to the evening’s proceedings. There are certainly elements of The Jam and The Clash in Twisted Wheel’s sound and stage performance. Notably, Jonny Browns singing and guitar playing. There was a definite feel of the chaos and excitement that surrounded ‘The Pogues’ during their heyday. It couldn’t have been easy for the band with continual stage invasions throughout their set, members of the audience intent on sharing their idols microphones and lights, monitors amongst other things being dragged down by stage divers. Jonny and the boys performed admirably, tearing through their set at 100mph. There were no encores tonight as the band closed with an extended “We Are Us” which was a definite highlight. The Lamp proved to be a great venue for the band, with its low ceiling and narrow room which certainly helped the atmosphere by ensuring the audience crowded into the small area to get the best view and sound. Having seen the band supporting Paul Weller and Oasis at larger venues it is obvious that their sound it more suited to the smaller venues. If the new album is successful this may be the last opportunity to see them perform in a small intimate venue The spirit of The Jam, The Clash and 1976 is alive with the Wheel. Catch them on this tour and sample the atmosphere! Another quintessentially English rock and roll band perfecting their craft. Hopefully, there are great things to come.