.gem's story.

- 26/10/02 - Leeds Rocket, Cockpit

During a rare afternoon in Leeds, I thought I would take my mind off the countless untalented unsigned bands that I had seen during the week by taking an excursion to the Longwave album launch at Crash Records, Headrow, Leeds. Upon arrival i found that it had been cancelled and/ or no one had bothered to turn up. This I found as a big disappointment as I was looking forward to listening to the long awaited debut album.

So a little while later I found myself at The Cockpit venue just down the road. Situated underneath the railway bridge, the cold dark room of the generally unused "Rocket" venue seemed a little empty as the support band "Mojo Pin" arrived on stage. Immediately I was impressed by the sound of the band and hoped this would continue through the night as the sound quality in this venue is reknowned for its appalling unnatural distortion and unprofessional sound system.

As the night progressed more and more people came, although the word from management was that only around 60 people had turned up for the gig, this did not matter for as soon as the four street looking raffians took to the stage no one was paying attention to anything other than them and their instant dominating stage presence.

The band played a regular set list, consisting of the two singles "Exit/Ambien", "Pool song" and many other familiar Longwave tracks. The singer/guitarist, Steve, obviously felt at ease with the crowd as he worked through their every moment with his passionate vocals. The Bass resonated throughout the venue and a sensual pounding of every note came with immense purity that propels their music into a category of which to something you deeply feel instantly.

The light show was good and worked well, although primitive, but at the "Rocket" that is only to be expected, like I previously noted, this is not a venue I would recommend a band to play. Throughout the set the crowd were mesmerized by the intensity of the music and of the band and their constant solemn faces, thus receiving every song as though it were the first they had heard and each found themselves rejoicing at this new found talent.

Unfortunately, as with all Longwave gigs, the set seemed too short, but it definitely left a taster for what was soon to come. The band were a breath of fresh air to a crowd of exhaustion and emotional fulfillment, and I'm sure none of the attendants will forget the performance easily. Bring on the new album and the new year tour!

Geminy Crockett