Flapper & Firkin, Birmingham (16th August 2007)

I remember over 3 years ago watching 35 Seconds at the Flapper & Firkin. The room was barely full, only the die hards had made it out. The band ripped through an amazing set which included old time favourites like 'A Better Cross' & 'No Batteries' leaving us again thirsty for more. In 2007 the band have never sounded so good. Gone is the old set, slowly phased out through a series of creative and fruitful writing sessions. Tonight the band have a full house. Frankly the Flapper hasn't been this packed in my memory for well years! The band rip straight into 'Youth Club' which makes use of some jolting rhythms and almost mandolin style manic thrashing. The band are in high spirits, lifted higher by the turn out. Each gig at this stage is pivotal to their transition as band.
New bass man Kev is a joy to watch. He's the first bass-man to fit the mould yet break it. Dressed in a tight fitting vest showing some bone cracking biceps he struts and bounces like a toddler on red bull. He's into it and it shows.

Songs like 'Walk The Plank' show singer Andrew Hickman in great form. Each "BRRRRRRR" bringing a smile to the crowd. The tight musicianship really comes to the fore here. Danny & Andy bEAR's contrasting guitar creating a real groove. It's been a while since I've seen people actually dancing at a gig unless they are trying to get noticed by the press but tonight people are going for it. I can see the singer of another prominent Birmingham band literally melting the floor with his moves.
The band throw in two new tracks tonight which whilst not knowing anything about them, or being able to make the lyrics out I could feel deep down how they work in their set. There's definitely more grind to their song these days. Darker, sexier, dancier.

'Filth' tonight was a clear stand out, the hairs on the back of my neck were standing up. The song uses some clever backing effects which the band play along to which isn't always easy. The drums literally pounding out the beat of the dance floor. Kev again shining with some exemplary bass work which was meatier than the studio recording and sounded fantastic. The room literally exploded to the beat of 'Grudge Match' which nicely wrapped up their set. With it's almost Industrial approach, the whirl of effects, jolting rhythms and pitch shifted guitars; it had people stomping the floor. The chorus again immense. 35 Seconds each time are on the cusp of bigger things. I'm sure I was saying this three years ago but someone had better put their money where their mouth is. This is the best band in Birmingham.

Pete Stanley, The Plastic Ashtray