The GUIDE
The Hallcross
Karl Scott
33-34 Hall Gate, Doncaster, DN1 3NL
Live at The Masons Arms, August 15th 2014
There really was no other venue for Das Punk Promotions to hold the next Donny Punk Night, other than the recently re-opened Hallcross Pub.
Thank the Lord for music like this. Music made in stale, broken bedrooms somewhere. While Karl Scott live does not sound like a bedroom gig, it feels like the ideas and emotions contained within his songs were captured at their rawest. And that means everything. Because, if you capture the briefest essence of an idea, it’s often good enough. That is, if the idea itself is good enough. Karl’s ideas are.
It has always been a great live music venue and walking in was reminiscent of going back to an old local. They have a decent selection of drinks available at reasonable prices. The bar staff were friendly and helpful - and after a brief chat with the new managers it was clear they are very enthusiastic and have some great ideas for the pub going forward, especially regarding live music. After a quick sound check it was time for the entertainment to begin! First up were popular local lads, Inequality Street. They have a wonderful habit of filling the stage with impressive Mohawks and even more impressive tunes! Their songs are fast, short and to the point, and very well received by the large audience that had gathered. Definitely one to look out for on the live punk scene! Next up are a band I am proud to be a part of, Das Abyss, recreating the glory days of old school punk!. This was only my fourth gig with the band and I feel we played our best performance yet. The audience wanted more but we’d run out of songs, so it was over to tonight’s headliners, System of Hate. With their own unique, sample filled sound, these guys did not disappoint. Every song delivers with a dark punk edge and it is no surprise that their next gig is at the Rebellion festival in Blackpool! All in all it was a great success and the highlight was to see The Hallcross going back to being one of Doncaster’s premier live music venues.
What makes his live shows, like tonight’s, special are the little things. The minutiae. Karl can sing, like an angel at times. But the flaws remain, and it’s these slight imperfections, the moments ever-so-slightly out of tune that makes his performance great, and more importantly, honest. It’s (these small individualities??)that lie at the very heart of this gig. The microscopic machinations of relationships: the inevitability of deceit; the ennui that follows passion, achingly rendered through voice, guitar. Karl feeds off energy,(could write as e.g. the renewable energy of an audience??). Stand-out track “ Limbo” receives its due applause and we are rewarded with “ Cold”, a long, deep immersion in clean, fresh air. Karl intrigues and beguiles you with his poetic candidness and his willingness to spew out his innermost soul. So here’s to Karl Scott. Here’s to the bedroom, the dim light and the shitty memories of the first fumbling fucks of desperate, hopeful youth. “You are wonderful, full of wonder”. Superb in every tiny detail. Rupert Vivian Muir
Chris Heald
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