Future of the Left - Corporation, Sheffield, 23/1/2010

  by Adrian Huggins

published: 13 / 1 / 2010

intro

Despite having been recently dropped by their label, Adrian Huggins is impressed by Cardiff guitar trio Future of the Left's commitmen, humour and passion at a show at the Corporation in Sheffield

On a wet Saturday night in South Yorkshire I cannot think of anything I’d rather be doing than watching one of the most innovative, unique and exciting bands to come out of Britain in years. Unfortunately the band’s recent label, 4AD, doesn’t seem to think that I’m in good company in thinking this as it recently dropped them from its roster. Now I don’t know the ins and outs of this, but this review is dedicated to whoever thought it would a good idea to drop them. You bloody idiot! Future of the Left are one of very few bands these days who are leading their own way, and making music they really believe in. They deserve to have their talent and hard work better rewarded and I’m betting that many people who will have seen him on this current tour would agree. They blend a curious mix of lunacy, deep fuzzy bass and guitars with some solid and robotic drumming all topped off with some of the best, scathing and at times most amusing lyrics and vocals of any band around at the minute. I would compare them to the likes of say, Doug Stanhope or Bill Hicks as comedians, as opposed to say Peter Kay or Ross Noble, all funny in their own way, but Future of the Left have a similar inner anger and wit to the former. They play a great mix of songs from their latest album ,‘Travels with Myself and Another’ and also their debut album ‘Curses’, to a packed audience at the Sheffield Corporation with fans who know every word from both. ‘Throwing Bricks at Trains’ and ‘Arming Eritrea’ gets a good airing and helps cut into the newer material superbly. The fantastic cult song, ‘You Need Satan More than He Needs You’, is an absolute treat. There is a great chant from the crowd of the chorus as the stupidly fat drum beats from Jack Egglestone on it start up. Egglestone is as completely on form as ever tonight keeping an incredibly firm set of hands on the rhythm. He is, however, matched in this by Andrew Falkous (mainly guitars and vocals but also some bass and synth) and Kelson Mathius (mainly bass but also guitars, vocals and synths) who both lead the proceedings with their no nonsense sarcasm, “I guess Games Workshop closed early today did it?,” Falkous quips at one point. The pair give the show a ballsy edge. Their playing is always intense, but their music at the same time is perfect to just jump around to, especially on songs such as ‘Plagues of Onces’ which is given an early airing. With ‘Fingers Become Thumbs’ it is apparent just how tight this band really are, and that’s why this all works so well. Nothing is overly complex, but the way it is all rigidly put together is just genius. They could be described as being like DC pioneers Dismemberment Plan, only more accessible and danceable, or Rage against the Machine, but without the clichéd anger and fancy guitar doodlings. I sincerely hope that that their label problems are only a temporary thing, as I’m sure it will be. Future of the Left deserve a lot more recognition and if tonight is anything to go by I am certainly not alone in thinking this.

Picture Gallery:-