Gaol Fowl led by former Cabbage entrance man Lee Broadbent makes their dwell debut at Manchester’s Mom Mary’s, and it’s mayhem from begin to end. Nigel stories for Louder Than Warfare with pictures by Michael Steff.
Properly that is bizarre, reporting on Lee’s new band simply over 9 years since first interviewing Cabbage at their then rehearsal room in an outdated mill in Mossley. Numerous water has handed below the bridge since then. The final time I noticed Cabbage was on the John Corridor celebration competition on the Ritz in Could 2021; they went on to carry out a last tour on the finish of that yr and we haven’t heard something since.
Gaol Fowl launched their first E.P in June 2023, however phrase on new exercise solely began percolating from the Gaol Fowl camp in February this yr, with Lee saying the primary gig on Fb. Evidently the venue tonight is full of acquainted faces. The Cabbage military is out in power and the band doesn’t disappoint. However what’s been occurring?
I spoke with Lee earlier than the gig and after a troublesome few years, it’s clear he’s a modified man; “Too lengthy has the commoditisation of medicine in music been promoted and glorified, and we wish the buck to cease at that and promote at the least a lifetime of moderation, and a greater high quality of life, and restoration has taught us that. I do really feel slightly bit accountable in Cabbage that we did promote that glorification of medicine and alcohol, being off our fucking faces. I used to drink six beers on stage! It’s fucking embarrassing”.
“I’ve seemed on the ‘tree of affect’ in drug phrases, Peter Docherty, Keith Richards, Iggy Pop, David Bowie, they have been all on heroin, and it was unattainable not go ‘properly I wanna be identical to them fucking guys’. I take full accountability for these selections I made, however on the similar time, it was too interesting to refuse. When you begin getting a label, and also you’ve acquired a bunch of songs, you go ‘fucking hell, I’m the shit’ – that’s your ego coming by way of. It’s alright to do a little bit of this and a little bit of that. The factor about Pete Doherty was, that not solely did he write nice music however he made heroin look cool, so on the finish of the day, I’m not saying don’t have a drink or don’t use leisure medicine, what I’m saying is all the time shield your self, and put them boundaries in place when you already know they may very well be a type of self-harm, if you already know what I imply. As a result of in the future you’ll end up, one thing traumatic will occur, and also you’ll depend on substances as a crux, after which that’s when your life turns into massively troublesome”
I requested Lee why Cabbage cut up up; “Have you ever ever heard the phrase if you happen to’ve misplaced your religion and love of music the tip received’t be lengthy? So after the 2017 incident, it was only one lengthy descent into feeling betrayed, grief and on the finish of the day, we felt wronged”.
Gaol Fowl tuck themselves onto the small stage slightly after 9:30, and after a sluggish begin, ship the form of pounding pleasure that Lee’s outdated band have been well-known for. I do know who Banksy is is an apparent excessive level, with it’s up and down arpeggios and see noticed refrain. It’s laborious to listen to all of the nuances in such a confined area, however watching just a few of the movies I took, you’ll be able to hear the standard of the musicianship. I all the time applauded the talents of Eoghan and the lads within the outdated band, however the musicianship on present right here tonight is actually excellent they usually don’t miss a beat. The drums and bass are brutal, however the screeching guitars and Lee’s piercing vocals lower by way of the maelstrom.
After vowing by no means to play one other Cabbage tune, the band careers by way of Indispensable Pencil and the tight mosh pit goes wild. It begins to look a bit furry, however there’s such a sense of happiness and goodwill within the viewers, that any fears are rapidly dispelled.
It’s nice to listen to the Cabbage stuff performed tonight – such a fantastic band, with a recreation altering assortment of nice tunes that ignited Manchester all these years in the past! I believe the truth that Mom Mary’s is packed to the gunwales is testomony to the band’s recognition, and in lots of means Gaol Fowl are the bastard kids, so why not?
The tune Sober delivers a really poignant message and reinforces Lees’ views expressed above about his dedication to convey the suitable message. It’s sung straight from the center – he means it and isn’t going again.
The band end with one other basic – Uber Capitalist Demise Commerce, which just about completes the circle. By no means off Cabbage’s set listing, it’s a fully blinding monitor that deserves to be heard. The group goes wild, with one adventurous soul making an attempt, (and succeeding!) to crowd surf!
It’s a cracking debut for Gaol Fowl, with the gang left really sated. In some ways it’s Cabbage part-two, however who can argue with that? The legacy is a strong one, and it deserves all of the oxygen it might probably get! There are rumours of a Cabbage documentary to have fun the ten yr anniversary of the band, so watch this area for extra on that!
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Gaol Fowl are on Fb & Instagram
Thanks to Michael Steff for the pictures used on this assessment, all are © so please don’t use with out permission. Phrases by Nigel Carr. Extra writing by Nigel on Louder Than Warfare could be present in his Creator’s archive. You could find Nigel on Twitter and Fb. Nigel is the Co-Producer of New Daybreak Fades – A Play About Pleasure Division And Manchester which excursions this October.
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