Thursday 15th December 05 - Band Wars at The Polar Bear contd By Michelle Dee

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This they achieve without either faltering, quite a feat when it requires absolute split second timing to hit that sweet spot. It's no good even coming in half a millisecond late - it's together or not together. The Landaus even played two new songs, in a hugely entertaining set, such is their confidence in each others ability. The whole pub, including the pub staff, was cheering them on. The band was tighter than a tight nut on a freezing cold morning, musically superior and their energized performance resulted in the loudest cheer of the night. So how was this competition judged?

Apparently, four independent people marked each band out of ten on a number of categories, these included audience reaction, originality, gig experience, stage presence etc.

Now, on audience reaction the last band won hands down. The crowd were almost climbing the monitors to get closer to the fab four. I'd say that gives them nine for that. Never give ten because that suggests there's no room to get better and that would be a sad day indeed. So, then on to originality. Well they chose to air songs previously unheard anywhere, these songs were received well and will most likely turn into crowd favourites like so many of them are. The fact that the majority of their set was from stuff they'd only written in the last few months speaks volumes. How much more original can you be?

Gig experience: don't make me laugh. The Landaus have gigs nearly every week of the year if not two or three in the same week. They regularly support big name chart acts in Grimsby, they recently supported Blackwire at Indeecent - oh yeah and last Saturday saw them headline Yo-Yo, the biggest Indie venue in Hull, at the much sought after Xmas party. Check out their website to see the host of cities they have played this year alone. Locally they have played every venue in Hull many times over, usually as a headline act. So gig experience; another nine I think. Nine and a half when they open for Chilli Peppers, hey Danny?

Stage presence. Well, the fact everyone was nearly on top of them must mean they have something that people want to see. And of course they do. As I said, you could spend all your time watching Steff. With his animalistic skin-bashing, this guy could have you spell bound. Loz, with his charismatic smile and distinctive vocal style never fails to add that element of sheer fun, essential when watching a band. Gaz on bass and Danny on guitar; they should have a guitar thrust comp between them. But for that added piece of magic, when Danny takes off on a guitar solo, drops his shoulder and his fingers travel like lightning up and down the fret board, then you see stage presence.

Then you see the ability for one member to momentarily dominate and shine like silver beneath the waves. Again an eight or a nine is only fair.

So who did these independent judges deem to be the winners and take the title of Band Wars 2005? Well, they chose middle of the road, unheard of Konscience. I say unheard of because when people ask me who won and I tell them, they respond, Who? Exactly! Those who were there will have seen me being asked to leave when I protested against this outrageous slight to Hull music ... I will fight to the last if I deem something unjust. This decision flies in the face of everything Hull bands have done to put themselves on the map this year. It goes against all those people trying to promote the Hull scene. And lastly is an insult to the hundreds of fans that turn out tirelessly week in, week out to support their favourite bands.

In my opinion Konscience should make like Tony Manero (Saturday Night Fever) and give the award to the rightful winners. Do you have a conscience, Konscience? It would seem that after I was chucked out, Steff was so overcome he chucked up. So disappointed was he, that he had to leave the contents of his bilious stomach in the pub. Good on you Steff , I couldn't have put it better myself and I tried believe me... So I call on all Hull bands to ignore this competition and the insulting result. Save your hard work, energy, passions and time for meaningful gigs.

I unreservedly withdraw my support of this venture, it is clear these judges wouldn't recognise a decent band if it jumped up and slapped them in the face, which is what they did to The Landaus and every other band who took part last Thursday night. www.thelandausrock.co.uk

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