Nigefest 2004 at the Ringside 4th Aug 2004 Headup, Flatline, Defenestration By special guest Reviewer Lee Atkinson - from www.Hullscene.com.

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Forget Glastonbury, Reading and T in the Park, this years annual Nigefest, a tribute to Hull promoter Nigel Holmes birthday, was in full swing as my Lady and I wandered into the Ringside Pub on Wednesday evening. It didn't take long to spot Nigel, who, as Sheffield Metal band Headup were beating through the opening set of the evening, was bobbing and whooping, a birthday sash safety pinned to his back amongst multiple birthday pints of Extra Smooth.

If there were ever a competition held to find the least amount of people who could make the loudest noise, Headup would stand proudly amongst the finalists. Upon entering the venue, I was surprised to discover that a three-piece was responsible for the raucous waves of sound emanating from the Ringside, spilling onto the streets of Beverley Road.

Headup are essentially an intelligent Metal unit combining solid song writing, tidy dynamics and meaty riffs. They look and feel like they are walking in the same direction and have really got their art together which pays testament to the unselfish musicianship of each band member who seem to have offered what is best for the song, not their ego.

This is not to say that they lacked in any way in character. Singer and guitarist Rick Morice was thoroughly entertaining and showed confidence in front of a hesitant audience. Being the opening band sometimes can be detrimental to a bands performance but fortunately Headup played with vigour and commitment proving being a band is about sticking to what you believe in thus offering the same effort at a pub gig that you would expect in a stadium. Headups' series of aural assaults ended on a high to warm applause. The South Yorkshire lad's have played a series of gigs in H-Town and I'm sure they will be welcomed back with open arms, even if front man Morice had no qualms about making suggestive remarks about err...Nigels Mum.

Next to the Ringside Rock altar was Flatline who, followed to the stage area by a gathering of denim and leather, band patches and badges, had obviously brought the most support. They were not out to disappoint either. The local band opened with an instrumental display of maturity that exceeded my expectations. Having not seen Flatline live previously, I was drawn in by a sound extracted from a cauldron of influences including Hardcore/New wave Punk and Metal.

Flatline have also understood the importance of having good material. It is in this vein that I think they can develop to reach the kind of success that the Freaks Union are currently and deservedly benefiting from. They have good songs, they have a good front man, they work together and the end product is a classy upcoming talent that I genuinely believe can do the business.

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