Band of Skulls

Great show - issues with venue.

10th anniversary show for Baby Darling Dollface Honey and BoS seemed very much up for it. Great energy and everyone on stage and in the room had a great time.

Only downside was I nearly didn't make it in and when I did I very nearly turned around and went home again. I go to god-knows how many gigs, including plenty at the Concorde2 and I've never been treated the way I was at the door. Not by the security staff, by the woman checking tickets. I gave my name but she couldn't find me in the system. As I hadn't spelled my name for her I thought it worth checking the spelling. This was a huge mistake. She got really offended and told me she knew exactly how to spell my name and things just went from bad to worse.

As it happens, she had spelled my name correctly but neither of us could have known that prior to me checking.

I eventually found my email receipt (and of course, I am at fault for not having it to hand sooner, but I'm waiting on an eye op and struggle to read my phone). I showed her and she said that was fine. I then made the terrible mistake of asking if I was OK to enter or whether she needed to locate the booking in the system. Again, she took offence at this and told me she could have me turned away if that's what I wanted. It was quite a long diatribe. At one point she grabbed the phone out of a guy in the queue to illustrate a point. He was surprised and unimpressed. Door staff being a bit surly is fair enough but this woman made it her mission to humiliate me in front of everyone else and I do not know why. If she had something bad going on in her personal life then she deserves sympathy, but shouldn't have been made to work the door. By the time I got in I wasn't in any mood for the gig and nearly went home, but decided to stay and I'm glad I did.

I wasn't relishing meeting her again the next week when I went to see Shellac but thankfully a different woman was on the door. Again, my booking was not in their system but this time I wasn't treated as though that was somehow my fault. I would encourage Concorde2 to fix this and in the meantime think more carefull about who they let run admissions.

Band Of Skulls is NOT your typical "Shoe-Gazer, Jangly Guitar"ALT-Rock Band but, are a Bombastic Power Trio! Nothing against the aforementioned type of Bands (as I like a great deal of them) but Band Of Skulls is
an entirely different animal.
Especially live!!
Combining the powerhouse drumming of Matt Hayward, searing Guitar work of Russell Marsden and the slinky slithering Bass work of Emma Richardson. The trio adds to the onslaught with a unique dual lead vocal style of Russell and Emma with catchy pop infused Rockers that remind one of early Gang of Four and at times Emma is reminiscent of Sioux Sue to my ears.

The Show at The Royale Club in Boston (9-6-16) was the kick off show for their 2016 North American tour and the Band apologized for Jet Lag and sore throats. But honestly this did not seem to phase the Band in the least bit and they quickly picked up steam as their set moved along. And if this was a "off show" I really can't wait to see them again when they are well rested as they sounded fantastic as it was!

The Band is very tight live and lock in nicely along with the addition of a touring Keyboardist (not sure who He was) any small holes are filled in rather well.
As much as I enjoy the Studio efforts to date their songs take on a slightly more aggressive style live that really emphasizes the power of the songs and the hook laden choruses that beg for audience participation ("Hoochie Coochie" and "Sweet Sour" being great examples)!!

Wow, I was lucky enough to see Band of Skulls at The Granada in Lawrence, KS (which is great little club venue) and the crowd was pretty light. Let me tell you, it won't be the next time they come to town!
The live experience with Band of Skulls is just like the album experience and for me that is not often the kind of band I want to go see, but if you know their music then you know that they bring it. This trio doesn't hold much back in the studio with an infectious, blues infused alternative rock that's carried by front man, Russell Marsden's work on lead guitar and vocals. The same is true in the live setting. Marsden's energy and skill fuels a fast paced set that begins and ends with a lot of energy and power.
Listening to the new album in the months leading up to the show, I was impressed but didn't feel like it stirred me in the same way as their previous material. When they struck the first chord of "Himilayan" to open the show, however, and with every new track after I found that I was overwhelmed with just as much excitement and emotion as when they hit us with "I Know What I Am", etc.
If Band of Skulls music gets your blood flowing and stirs your soul the way it does mine, then you will love feeling that live energy and getting that same incredible sound played clean and tight. Go see these guys!

Often cited as the UK's answer to The White Stripes or The Black Keys, Southampton trio Band of Skulls have lofty claims to live up to with their own brand of alternative rock. There is a distinct bluesy nature running through all three albums and this goes down well with crowds on both sides of the Atlantic.

It never feels false either, there is an authenticity whilst playing 'Brothers and Sisters' and 'The Devil Takes Care of His Own'. The group clearly lives and breathes the blues and rather than trying to simply recreate the artists they enjoy, they have put their own unique spin on it. The musicianship is also admirable as the trio comes together to create really high quality and technically excellent tracks. They are not a particularly enthusiastic outfit so are forced to leave fan favourites including 'Sweet Sour' and 'Death by Diamonds & Pearls' to win the crowds over. By the final performance of 'Hollywood Bowl' the applause are deafening so it would seem they have succeeded.

I was so excited to get to see Band of Skulls play Tucson for the first time. I have been listening to them since I was in high school and have always loved the power and lyrics in their music. Their opening band Mothers was a very neat group with interesting time signature techniques and provocative themes. When Band of Skulls took the stage, they truly kicked ass. They play just like it is coming right off the album. Their energy and crowd engagement is great, and you can tell they are really down to earth people who play for their fans. There was a great connection. After they played their final song and left the stage, the audience's encore brought them back out for two more songs. It was a fabulous concert, and they did not disappoint. I will be seeing them again if I get the chance. Their merch guy was pretty awesome as well!

Band Of Skulls, they all wear all black and have British accents, what's cooler than that?!
Their songs and style were definitely different and varied slightly by song. They had a nifty way of performing, they were there to sing their songs and talk to the crowd. They seemed honesty like a nice group of people! It was raining when I saw them, but their music warmed the mood and me.
They are excellent and lively! I saw them at a music festival, and I wish I had the opportunity to see them in concert! Since it was a music festival; you had the freedom to just walk around, but you did not want to leave. The crowd just wanted to keep hearing their music, song after song after song. Definitely would see them again!

Top night, first time at the stoller hall venue it was ok great sound shame about the seats, the support act (colin mcloed) were good would see them again but the band of skulls were on top form playing a mix of stuff from there new album and some songs of previous albums but the band seemed in good form engaging with the crowd and jumping into the crowd at the encore so all in a great night from the band the venue was ok but as I said not sure it was the right fit even James saying it felt like a posh recording studio...band of skulls always give a good show..

Fantastic show! They were killing it right off the bat; then Russell took it up a notch everyone with "Light of the Morning". Band of Skulls showcased songs their best songs, showing why they are such a talented and tight trio that gets a huge sound live. "Cold Fame", and Matt busting out the acoustic and simultaneously playing the beat to Emma's soaring vocals in "Honest" we're the treats of the night. An almost 2hr set was not enough!

Hoping for a little "Nightmares" on their next outing in the Toronto Area :)

great night with the band well on form and playing some brand new tracks that sounded great then going into there baxk catalogue to get everyone bouncing and then to find out of matt that this was the 2nd gig of just 2 before they release there new album and annouce a new UK/european tour this mage the whole night feel better and i love hearing brand new tracks,gorilla was a great venue as normal had a great view of the band with a great armtmosphere. cant wait for the new album...

Although the Stoller Hall is more of an orchestra style venue The Band of Skulls turned out into a sweaty rock venue for the night.
Playing plenty of new songs from Love is all you Love, mixed in with all the old songs we all know, they kept the whole audience smiling and singing along.
Finishing the night getting down into the audience mic's in hand they had everyone involved in Carnivorous.
All in all yet another night to remember.