Friday 29th July 05 - Park and Ride, The Landaus and The Truth at KU Bar Stockton (3/3) By Michelle Dee

(1/3), (2/3), (3/3).

Photograph Gallery   The Truth Gallery,    The Landaus Gallery,    Park and Ride Gallery 1,    Gallery 2.    People Gallery 1,    Gallery 2.    Gallery 3.    Gallery 4.

They even managed to get a few column inches in the local rag over the supposed copyright infringement; someone claimed that Park and Rides campaign logo was too similar to the Liberal Democrats one and this might lead to some confusion for the potential voters. Ho, ho, ho. This is me laughing and saluting the boys for a brilliantly executed P.R. stunt.

Park and Ride have been much maligned, unfairly so, because of the I am the Butt Banger song. They have gone on to prove the critics wrong by playing some of the best-attended and most enjoyable gigs of the last year.

They have supported the likes of Sunshine Underground, Little Miss Machete and This Et al, The Kooks and Dead 60s both locally and on transit tours. As well as a busy gig schedule, they have been getting radio airplay of the Smell of Success EP, and have signed a deal with Hull's Influential Records all during the last year. The band have a loyal fan base back in Hull, but how would they be received outside of their hometown? They opened with the trademark jangly guitars for new song, Inbreds fight back the repeated refrains during the chorus may suggest an angrier side to the usually light- hearted band. Don't get stressed follows with Paul and Simon coming together for a bit of synchronized swinging.

Jonathon comes off note and word perfect as the phrases repeat giving the listener the chance to really get into the song. Park and Ride have the knack of writing songs that jump quickly inside your head then stay waiting for the right memory cue to be brought back to the fore. Spacey guitars create a laidback 70's feel then standout keyboards from Damo, add more layers to the finished product. On No way back it is Freddie's turn to shine as the teasing drumbeats create the drama for the chords and choruses to play around in. The comparatively new song Dressing gown conjures up images of depressed days spent indoors. No cash, no company and a half eaten bowl of cereal congealing by the sofa.

Then, by way of alleviating the torture, finding a strange delight in removing the heavy cloth garment in some bizarre symbolic stripping of societal constraints. This song has gone from being a novelty tune, to a number that the whole band turns into a rousing showstopper. The token cover of Bad guys comes next, yeah it comes from Bugsy Malone but a good song is a good song whether it was written during previous decades or last week. Tonight it plays out full of hope, almost inspirational. Then they play Smell of Success, prophetic? I hope so. Park and Ride slowly turn up the heat in Stockton, exciting the crowd and one girl in particular, who can do nothing but dance to every song.

More of that jangling guitar sound mingles with eminently singable choruses backed up by resounding drum crashes from Freddie. It appears singable isn't a recognised word but it damn well should be especially when writing about this bands appeal. If you can sing along to a band you immediately feel more connected with them thus heightening your live gig experience.

Another new one towards the end of the set called I wanna take Control again features that hitherto unseen aggressive vocal tone. Angry accapella provides a contrast to the sci-fi keyboards. The piano parts plaintive, eerie perhaps but not menacing. At times these sections sounded like they had been taken from an epic soundtrack of Germanic persuasion aka Tangerine Dream. The clock said nearly midnight and merry hell broke lose, as Haribo did the notorious Butt banger dance during the finale. For a big guy he sure can move; he puts so much energy in to his infamous routine you can't help but stop and marvel at the sheer physicality of his dancing.

Park and Ride, the band that really is glad to see you. It's written all over the madcap fives' faces. Whether it's Simon giving you a warm hugged feeling with his bright eyes, a broad grin from Damo, or Paul cornering you in a club on a Saturday night and announcing unashamedly, I love my band, you always feel that they appreciate your support. Park and Ride continue to travel well and I urge you to go along to one of their gigs and share in the unadulterated fun that they have to offer.

Check the thisisUll.com Gallery Photographs courtsey and Copyright © Michelle Dee 2005

Photograph Gallery   The Truth Gallery,    The Landaus Gallery,    Park and Ride Gallery 1,    Gallery 2.    People Gallery 1,    Gallery 2.    Gallery 3.    Gallery 4.

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