Gig review: HOUND – Here We Aren’t, Peterborough, 27 September 2023

An enigma, wrapped up in neon-bright packaging, Cambridgeshire punk pop metal quintet Hound are all dangerous curves, big riffs and uncontrolled energy. The fact they’re playing what must rank as one of the tiniest venues in the country, the whole no bigger than a modest double garage with the stage taking up a third of that, means they’re unflinchingly in your face.

This suits the band perfectly though, the connection with those crammed into the space a visceral and direct one, singer Jamie regularly launching himself off stage to go up close and personal with those down the front.

Remarkably, given their brio and the sharpness of their songs, this is only their third show ever and follows hot on the heels of two breathless appearances over the previous weekend. In a world full of po-faced ego and studious musicality, Hound are seemingly having the times of their lives as sugar rush slices of barbwire sharp tunes sees muscle blending seamlessly with playfulness.

Part of the beauty here is their ability to distil all this into bite sized slices that uphold the mantra of ‘don’t bore us, get to the chorus’, each number never outstaying its welcome but providing tight focus around the melodies.

With its eviscerating riffs and snotty vocals, opener ‘Ghost in the Grey’ kicks things off with a raw energy that lights up the room, the giant hook delivered with ferocious intensity before the smart singalong of ‘Overcast Weather’ brings frat boy vibes to its throwaway chorus. Ladled with humour, the reflection at the heart of ‘The Ballad of an Aging Millennial’ shows astute writing, the tongue in cheek lyrics bringing further smiles.

Trading licks with each other and insults with their frontman, guitarists Dan and James attack their instruments with serious intent, the latter breaking a string but carrying on without missing a beat.

The good-humoured bashing of the self-effacing Jamie just seems to whip him up to further heights, his persona reflecting that mad-eyed wildness of Faith No More’s Mike Patton mixed in with the Artful Dodger’s boisterous charm.

Driving things, drummer Mark and Barbie-pink vest and headband wearing bass player Rob add their own relentless energy, Hound a mass of colours, movement and sound.

Things peak with the killer song in the set, the brilliantly titled forthcoming single ‘The Way A Dog Loves Pizza’, it’s lead up line “I want someone to love me” a wonderfully dumb yet whipsmart and marks it out as a fan favourite for years to come.

It’s just down to the chaos of ‘The Reverse’ that sees Jamie ending up crumpled in a heap on the floor amongst the inflatable bananas, beach balls and sharks they’d thrown out earlier, the howl of feedback and drip of sweat as ears are left ringing with the sonic assault as the set closes.

Whilst the atmosphere they bring may be that of a drunken teenage party held while parents are away, the craft and songs speak for themselves, and these hounds look set to be big dogs on the scene.

Review by Paul Monkhouse

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

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