Not being a great fan of this rock genre, my only knowledge of MY AWESOME COMPILATION to date is their lacklustre cover of "There is a Light That Never Goes Out" on the recent Smiths tribute album. This aside, I approached the gig with an open mind and, on entering the venue, was hit by the massive buzz and adoration which seems to surround this Leicester band. I thus prepared to be converted!
Winners of Punktastic.com’s ‘Best New Band of 2003’, MAC have obviously built a strong fan-base, and their easy confidence and self-belief shines brightly within this dimly-lit venue. Rock City always provides a great setting for a small gig, but this band’s fans have to be credited for providing the atmosphere. Lead singer Chris takes advantage of the intimate set-up and strikes up a sparky rapport with the mosh pit, urging the crowd to move closer until the band are almost lost within a sea of identikit skate boys.
To the unfamiliar ear, the set starts off disappointingly predictable. There are overt nods towards the Blink 182 / Sum 41 style which, to be perfectly honest, is starting to sound horribly tired and over-used. As they settle into their set, though, the promise of something much more special is fighting through and, yes, beneath the surface of mediocrity, I do believe that MAC may be hiding a gleaming soul!
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Musically they are faultless, with heavy guitars providing perfect accompaniment to strong and confident vocals, but it is definitely their slower, more melodic, moments that stand superior. Keeping a constant contemporary edginess, they echo the best bits of Green Day’s "Dookie" era – combining haunting melodies and vocal harmonies with a harder rocky feel – whilst flaunting a style all their own. In a scene that is in danger of becoming - bluntly -old-hat, this retrospective slant could provide a fresh and original angle.
Overall MAC show great potential as a live band, and their assault on the Kerrang TV generation seems firmly on track. Personally, though, I would like to see them break away from the tried and tested mould and progress further down an individual route as I'm confident they have it in them to be much more than mediocre.
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