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Support band Occupational Hazard really worried me. I thought they were the technical crew when we arrived for our traditional pre-gig drinks. There they all were, huddled around a laptop engrossed with something on the table next to us. I then thought Fibbers was hitting hard times when they went on stage to set everything up. I was quite surprised when they started playing. The lead singer looked more akin to S-club 7 in his skinny white t-shirt, neatly pressed trousers and labelley baseball cap. But my God he can scream. It really made me laugh - I kept on expecting 'Reach For The Stars' to come floating over the sound system, but no, he kept on howling. He won't be able to speak when he's 25, I swear. As far as I could work out there was 5 members altogether, the "other" lead singer (minus the guitar) was so much fun to watch; he didn't stop moving. He joined the 2 man slam pit for a bit until he got annoyed like the rest of us, and then climbed aboard his barstool which he had put on top of the 6 foot amps. I'm not sure how he got in that gap, but he did, seemingly with the ability to breathe still in tact. From there he continued to scream a bit until he got bored, he then flung himself back into the fighting pit below. I would go and see them just to see this guy nearly kill himself again - and because they were good. Considering 3 of the members of OH are only 16 years of age, all the talk is understandably of this bands future. Since they have been doing the "circuit" for an impressive 6 years now they have a loyal following and word is obviously seeping out; Vitiminic.co.uk have reported that Occupational Hazard are in the top 10 downloads in Europe. The readers of Kerrang also voted OH the 3rd best-unsigned band in the country. I think this lot are one to keep an eye out for, their confidence is building with every gig they do. And they know they are good. On to the magical Tung then. The stage was cleared and a pair of decks and a drum kit shoved up against the back wall. I have honestly never seen anything like this before. Tung's music is originality at its best. Imagine Rage Against The Machine mixed with Public Enemy and the Beastie Boys in roughly equal ratios, and you just get this mish-mash of hardcore grooves and hip hop. You can't help but stomp away with the rest of the guaranteed crowd. I really did try and stand still but it was just impossible. I must tell you a bit about them. My favourite DJ Fubu is kept hidden at the back of the stage like a well-guarded secret. He is in charge of the decks and I was impressed by his all round general greatness. Dan C is a dread locked lyrical genius with a wicked sense of humour thrown in for good measure. Dave jnr is vocalist number 3 with a computer and a guitar too. Vaughn is handcuffed to his keyboard but still manages to play the guitar. And finally, 12 Gauge is the drummer- and a damn fine one at that. These guys just love what they are doing. You can see it in their eyes, and their enthusiasm just rubs off on the punters. It reached about 112 degrees in that building and it got to the stage where other peoples sweat was dripping onto me from the ceiling. I didn't really mind though - I just kept on stomping. And they just kept on playing, and playing, and running around and jumping and laughing. They use every inch of that venue; the stage is extended into the amps, the floor and the bar. These guys really know what the fans want, and they give it to them. 102% It’s only fitting that I tell you what a few of the big magazines have to say about these lads- Kerrang said “one of the best live bands in Britain”. Metal Hammer thought they were ”a five piece pipe bomb set to detonate any stage deranged enough to take them”. For me Melody Maker hit the nail on the head though with this comment: “Tung are the coolest, funkiest, most insane rap-punk-metal techno outfit in the UK,” I couldn’t agree more. Nic |