Live Review: Tiger Army / Grave Pleasures / The Nightmares – Club Academy, Manchester, UK, 26th November 2019

On the eve of tonight’s concert The Punk Site was offered the chance to cover Tiger Army, the legendary L.A. veterans are hitting the basement venue of Manchester’s Club Academy in support of their latest, and sixth full length to date, “Retrofuture“. As an additional incentive, as if one was was needed, the band have stated that this is the last time they will hit the UK for the foreseeable future so how could we refuse. If that wasn’t enough to tempt us out into Manchester on a typically cold and damp Tuesday night in November then you have the added attraction of the dark duo of Grave Pleasures and The Nightmares who complete the impressive line up for the UK leg of Tiger Army‘s European Tour.

After some nerve shredding delays getting in we manage to descend into the Club Academy just ahead of Newport, South Wales’ The Nightmares opening set, having released their latest single ‘Life Won’t Wait” just ahead of the tour they are aptly appearing just after the doors to the Club Academy open. Their appearance is pre-empted by some primitive vintage rock ‘n roll, something that is a reoccurring theme throughout the night, and something I suspect Tiger Army‘s Nick 13 had a hand in. A creepy introduction from the disembodied voice of Alfred Hitchcock signifies the appearance The Nightmares, initial impressions from their opening number are that is band of contrast as delicate, yet thunderous, rhythms underpin a soundtrack that embodies new wave and post punk with a distinctly gothic tinge.

Heavyweight bass lines are counterbalanced by sparking synths, similarly half the band are heavily tattooed and with the sleeves torn from their shirts, this is in contrast to the other half of the band who, as far I can tell, are uninked and more clean cut. The Nightmares soundtrack could well have been the outcome if New Order hadn’t discovered disco biscuits in the early 80s and had carried on down Joy Division‘s dark path. The Nightmares are clearly a band of contrasting influences and styles right to their core, and for fans of the dark side of the alternative scene this welsh quartet are well worth your time checking out if you get the chance.

Almost immediately After The Nightmares, with barely time to briefly escape and draw smoke, come Finland’s Grave Pleasures, something that gives the start of the “Retrofuture” tour more than a touch of the night about it. Before they appear we unexpectedlycatch the drummer from Grave Pleasures warming up for the show, this consists of screaming “fucker fucker” and stamping about in a corridor, much to the bemusement if the belly dancing class taking place in an adjacent room. Grave Pleasures bring a different vibe, imagine Quentin Tarantino’s nightmares coupled with Glenn Danzig’s dreams, the Finnish quintet blend horror punk and post punk with a sound that draws heavily from Killing Joke, The Damned and The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster, along with a touch of rock excess, that is driven along by their crazed drummer who keeps a relentless pounding beat that sits at the heart of the stage and their sound.

Tiger Army have been regular visitors to Manchester since 2002, although this is their first visit in three long years, and they have drawn the heavily tattooed and denim and animal print clad faithful down into the Club Academy basement. By the time rebel country ballad that preceded Tiger Army’s appearance kicks in the basement of the Club Academy is rammed, as ever they start their set with an instrumental, this is ‘Tercio De Muerte‘ from “Retrofuture”, in comparison to the preludes from their previous albums this is another indication that their sound is veering more towards rebel country and rock ‘n roll. There are some initial issues with mix being bass heavy and drowning out Nick 13’s guitar but these are swiftly addressed by the time ‘Afterworld’ is delivered unexpectedly early in their set. 

Anyone that is familiar with their latest album won’t have been surprised by the move away from their psychobilly roots to a purer rock ‘n roll based set, although to some in the crowd it is still clearly a surprise, but when they revisit their back catalogue with tracks such as ‘Cupid’s Victim’, ‘Fuck The World’, ‘Ghostfire’ and their rallying cry of ‘’Never Die’ they put all doubts anyone may have had to the sword. The flow of Tiger Army‘s set is somewhat interrupted by constant guitar changes, an occupational hazard for those with a love for vintage six strings, but when they hit the encore the energy levels seem too peak and you get a glimpse of vintage Tiger Army.

Tonight Tiger Army delivered a welcome run through their 23 year history and six pack of albums, whilst this was a welcome experience they don’t quite hit the peaks that we all know they are capable of, but there is more than enough to keep the faithful happy, and it must be noted that the number of die hard fans who have travelled from other parts of Northern England is a testament to the band’s enduring appeal. Couple this with impressive opening sets by The Nightmares and Grave Pleasures and you have a memorable Tuesday evening. For Tiger Army tonight was a good way to sign off on what looks like being a lengthy hiatus, but as we well know Tiger Army never dies and they will doubtless rise again.

Live photography is by Pete Phythian, you can click on any of Pete’s photos to view a slide show of the images