Freebase - at Smash It Up at the Adelphi Club, Hull - Friday 29th January 04 By Carolyn

I wasn't expecting to go out on Thursday night (January 29th) especially because of the crap weather but when Cilla asked if I wanted to go to the Adelphi Club with her to review a band called Freebase. I've got to say that my initial enthusiasm was for the very reasonably priced vodka and a chance up with my good mate, Cil. My thinking as far as what the music would be like was pretty flat considering Cilla had only described it as .. pretty hard ..!

Okay, methinks and by 7.30 have resigned myself to be going to the Adelphi to review yet another random band. You know, good but not fantastic with all the originality of the Little Angels instead of the next Sex Pistols or Marilyn Manson.

Boy, I couldn't have been more wrong or pre-judgemental as far as original talen goes. My first discovery was that Freebase are from the Midlands - as far as Northampton. When a band travels a fair bit of the country to come to the nationally renowned Adelphi I always give them a big Oi Up for continuing to help Hull become bigger and better known on the music scene. My second discovery came after playing Nigel 5 quid and walking into the Adelphi. Talk about a big band sound! Although there was not much pogoing or moshing, the crowd were excited.

I could tell that if they hadn't been so shy, letting their hair down to these guys would have been explosive.

Freebase are: Mark - Lead Vocals Simon - Drums Liam - Bass and Vocals Paul - Guitar and Vocals With a sharp, precise and well timed sound, the thrash/punk/skinhead band called Freebase have the ability to play huge arenas.

Their enthusiasm on stage for their music which, Simon says; .. stays away from politics and is a generalised anger.. makes for a refreshing sound. It makes you bubble inside with excitement, a bit like a mini orgasm! Had I been more out-going, I would have jumped around in appreciation but with not enough vodka in me yet and a review to write, I watched in the wings, containing my excitement ready to write it all down for thisisull.com.

As we were a bit late arriving at the Adelphi, I only caught about 4 of their songs and afterwards a band called Defenestration, another band really worth a mention. Incredible vocals from Gen and a loud, really gut-wrenching sound to their music. Simon Freebase commented afterwards; They're hard working and hard touring but they can't take their beer! After Freebase had played they were more than happy to speak to us when they'd sold a few CDs and mingled with the crowd. continued below

Freebase - at Smash It Up at the Adelphi Club, Hull - Friday 29th January 04 contd. By Carolyn

In the back bar of the Adelphi Cilla and I sat with Liam, Simon and his girlfriend Sheona, Paul and his girlfriend Sandra. We didn't get too much info as these guys treated us as old friends, talk about persona! No moody lyrical outbursts, no defensive retorts to questions, just good old fashioned Rock 'n' Roll boys who love a good drink, a good performance and a good laugh.

Freebase formed in Northampton and Simon tells me that the bands name comes from drug useage. This, they didn't elaborate on but we knew and I'm sure so do a few of you what it means! Freebase toured Ireland in June/July 2003 - by accident! Vocalist, Mark was getting married and was having his stag-do in Ireland so the boys arranged too tour at the same time! How rock 'n' roll is that?

Freebase are who they are now through what seems sheer determination but these guys handle it well with a lot of fun. Part of me wonders if they know how lucky they are to still be smiling so easily after all this rock 'n' roll. None of them seem bored or complacent. However, a little bird at the Adelphi told me that Freebase were splitting up - after this gig but a certain band member didn't know yet! Is there any thruth in this? Freebase, let us know! Don't do it! You bad, bad rock 'n' roll boys!

Cilla, unable to get a shot of Simon (drummer) while on stage, instead insists I take one of him (with her) as soon as he finishes playing.

So that's what a Masters in Philosophy gets you! Sandra, Yeuk!

Stephan Hopcraft: F**king great. They should've played Raining Blood (Slayer). Paul Brady: Very good, better than The Dagger, better than most bands on Kerrang

Greg: They gave me Jagermeister and they brought me metal

Craig and Emma: F**kin' lovin' the old school!

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