Hundred Reasons - Reading University, 17/6/2002
by Julia Willis
published: 11 / 6 / 2002

intro
With their debut album at ' Ideas Above Our Station' at number two in the HMV chart, Julia Willis goes to see local lads Hundred Reasons at Reading University , but comes to the conclusion that "nothing stifles creativity more than the pursuit of fame"
Sometimes, when you know what’s going to happen, it’s no fun getting there… I didn’t want to see Hundred Reasons… I know they’ll be popular. I know they’ll be famous. I know it will ruin everything. I went to see them anyway… They will be popular. They will be famous but just for tonight, it ruined nothing… Have you ever stood on the edge of a cliff, with the wind in your face? You know you’re going to jump. It's just a question of when… The band walk onstage tonight to the opening of Europe’s 'Final Countdown'…a moment tinged with ironic mirth and naïve arrogance…But I look down at what I’m writing… ‘The album doesn’t do them justice’ and the very mixed crowd completely agree. I’m standing on the periphery of a polarised audience in a characterless venue. Those who’ve known about Hundred Reasons from the beginning stand behind an invisible decade of those who have bought their debut album 'Ideas Above Their Station' in HMV this week. This aside, their anthemic, schizophrenic songs flourish live. The studio has edited out the nuances, stifling the energy Hundred Reasons create on stage and renders each song a uniformity that dissolves in live performance. Admirably, it’s not the singles from the album that generate the most excitement and I watch with increasing amusement at the crowd’s pliability. When frontman Colin raises his hands and claps them above his head, so do the crowd a la Simon Says… more stadium than student union. Comically, they dedicate 'If I Could' to security. As the familiar song starts, everyone surges forward, crowd-surf and pulverize them. You have to appreciate the sentiment. But I can’t help thinking we’re watching a band on the platform, ready to depart. Nothing disappoints me more than seeing 'Ideas Above Our Station' at number two in the HMV chart. To me, nothing stifles creativity more than the pursuit of fame… but I’m just selfish. I should be proud watching a small local band produce music that the mainstream want to listen to, shouldn’t I? As I hear cynically uttered on our way out: "You know you’re big when you see someone bootlegging your T-shirts outside the gig…" Sometimes, when you know what’s going to happen, it’s no fun getting there… The photgraphs that accompany this article were taken by Matthew D. Williams
Picture Gallery:-


interviews |
Interview (2008) |
![]() |
With their label having gone into receivership, punk/metal act Hundred Reasons have recently been dropped their label for a second time. Guitarist Larry Hibbitt speaks to Russel Ferguson on their latest tour about a difficult few years and why the band keeps going |
Interview (2002) |
live reviews |
Leadmill, Sheffield, 17/1/2007 |
![]() |
New Pennyblackmusic writer Russell Ferguson is impressed by punk/metal act Hundred Reasons' passion and energy at a gig on their latest tour at the Sheffield Leadmill |
Academy 3, Manchester, 3/4/2006 |
reviews |
Quick the Word, Sharp the Action (2009) |
![]() |
Unfortunate re-release of emo-metal band Hundred Reasons little heard, but instangly forgettable fourth album, 'Quick the Word, Sharp the Action' |
most viewed articles
current edition
Peter Doherty - Blackheath Halls, Blackheath and Palace Halls, Watford, 18/3/2025 and 21/3/2025Liz Mitchell - Interview
Armory Show - Interview with Richard Jobson
Deb Googe and Cara Tivey - Interview
Lauren Mayberry - Photoscapes
Maarten Schiethart - Vinyl Stories
Dave Barbarossa - Interview
Garfunkel and Garfunkel Jr. - Interview
Roberta Flack - 1937 - 2025
Max Bianco and the BlueHearts - Troubadour, London, 29/3/2025
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPBrian Wilson - City Hall, Sheffield, 2/8/2017
Trudie Myerscough-Harris - Interview
Jay Reatard - Interview
Beautiful South - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Barrie Barlow - Interview
Kay Russell - Interview with Kay Russell
Peter Paul and Mary - Interview with Peter Yarrow
Dwina Gibb - Interview
Pixies - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
most viewed reviews
current edition
Davey Woodward - Mumbo in the JumboWings - Venus and Mars
Kate Daisy Grant and Nick Pynn - Songs For The Trees
Only Child - Holy Ghosts
Neil Campbell - The Turnaround
Philip Jeays - Victoria
Nigel Stonier - Wolf Notes
Darkness - Dreams On Toast
Charles Ellsworth - Cosmic Cannon Fodder
Suzanne Vega - Flying With Angels
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart