The Humour
Live at Mixing Tin on Thursday, 16th February 2006
Parting company with one's musical tastes takes a lot in today's tightly packed music world, but the styles of Vicious Cabaret and The Humour are two bands not of the norm and can hold their heads up high among the rest of the Arctic Monkey wannabies out there as they challenged listeners at The Mixing Tin in Leeds to a different style of music.
Vicious Cabaret were the first to take to the stage, with a fast paced start that did not falter throughout their rather impressive set. Although there seemed to be only one sound that the band could produce it wasn't necessarily a bad thing, as they kept the audience's eyes fixed on them throughout.
The main strength of this band is defiantly from their excellent rhythm section, which is really tight and seems to be the glue that holds the band together. With tremendously filthy bass riffs and a drummer that beats the crap out of his kit, the band has a solid bass for the future.
With this kind of fast tempo punk-angst sound is one that definitely works for the band as they have potential, but if you put on any Tony Hawk game out there on you'll probably be able to hear bands of a similar nature, and more status. That's not to say their sound isn't good, it's like most things as it's been done before. If you want something alternative and entertaining in your music, then check out Vicious Cabaret.
After a more than sufficient first round the audience were ready for the second of the two rounds... enter The Humour, to a some what restricted and unsure applause. The band get into their set and come off as Leeds answer to Audioslave. With definite influences from Rage Against The Machine and Audioslave, the band belt out loud riffs from bass and guitar, using all kinds of different pedals for different effects, which mixes in with the sound perfectly! This band played hard and that was evident, as the drummer symbol had broken, obviously from a previous nights exploits!! Noteworthy tracks were 'tell the devil' and 'I wish upon a star' which had an astonishingly catchy guitar riff. You're only as good as your weakest link is said a lot, but to say just one member of this band stands out wouldn't be true as all do in their own way, and they all contribute to the sound that is The Humour. With smoke effects, an appearance from the band's friend on drums, the band have a set that is eye catching and does entertain.
This band have the potential to break right through to the mainstream with a hugely talented singer, who sound a lot like the front man of Incubus. The Humour's front man's outstanding vocals rise above the high frequency of noise and complement the band's music to the extent were you could easily see Audioslave or Incubus covering one of their songs. A great band with what could be a great future if they are given the right breaks and guidance.
