YASHIN

Words and Photos: Charlie Wallis

Glasgow based screamo up and comers ‘Yashin’ are starting to get a real foothold on the UK alternative scene, such is evident from the mass of bodies at The Waterfront tonight. This gig has been upgraded from the smaller upstairs venue already and before the bands even start the floor seems to be nearing capacity.

First band on tonight are Swedish pop rock band Tantrum to Blind. Their fresh faced approach to metal enthused poppy rock lends itself nicely to an enthusiastic performance that strikes a serious chord with the young crowd who go wild for their sound. Lead singer Mel has an appreciation for the crowds response which only serves to solidify the reaction they get, doubtless they’ll have gained several new fans this evening.

Tantrum to Blind

Second up are With One Last Breath who really bring the heavy with music that sounds as hardcore as the band look! What’s striking about With One Last Breath is that there’s nothing spectacularly original about their music but what they do they do very well. Lead singer Sam Graves throws himself into every gravel laden scream and has a strong presence onstage. It’s hard not to feel like their slightly at odds with the rest of the bands on the bill but put in a commendable performance regardless.

With One Last Breath

The crowds excitement seems to almost double as Irish lads Jody Has a Hit-List take to the stage. The anticipation for this band is notable given the riotous applause every time their name has been mentioned onstage. Despite one or two technical niches the band do not disappoint. Their performance and reaction from the crowd is reminiscent of early ‘Deaf Havana’ and one starts to wonder if we could be looking at the next big thing.

Jody Has A Hit List

Yashin burst onto the stage and instantly there’s an element of theatricality in their performance. An abundance of head banging and mic hugging goodness fills the performance area as ‘Yashin’ aim to firmly conquer yet another city. Given their bend upgrade as all but sold out show tonight is already a victory for ‘Yashin’ but this win hasn’t given way to complacency as it so easily could have. Frontmen Harry Radford and Kevin Miles weave in and out of one another apparently their aim being to scream loudly in the face of every member of the front row, to utter delight of the audience. Despite their differences in performance styles these guys are a formidable duo onstage with Miles flinging himself from one side of the stage to the other and Radford interacting directly with members of the crowd with a cocky confidence you tend to see in much larger outfits.

Yashin

Highlight of the evening has to be “Get Loose” as well as the moment where the band openly chastises members of the audience for fighting as I’m sure we’ve all wanted to do at some point or another. The band end their set with a stripped back mini acoustic session with Miles taking to the tiniest looking keyboard. There’s nothing desperately ground-breaking about the music ‘Yashin’ make or their performance but what they’ve found seems to be a winning formula for attracting young fans and giving them exactly what their looking for. It’s a formula so many up and coming bands strive to find but never manage to attain so ‘Yashin’ deserve a hearty kudos for a performance that will not have left their fans wanting.