Gig shows power of the punks!

Aug 11 2008 by Katie Campling, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

ARTISTS: All Or Nothing, Me vs. Hero, Save your Breath.

VENUE: The Cockpit, Leeds.

REVIEW By: Lexi Lee (right)

THIS gig is an example of the great pop punk scene that has exploded recently in the UK.

Bands are proving that what was previously considered ‘kiddie music’ is fun, but should also be taken seriously.

The UK punk scene is changing. Dead Swans getting nominated for best British newcomers at the Kerrang! awards proves that the metal core phenomena is well and truly over.

It is likely that this genre of hardcore influenced pop punk will find itself with a lot of media attention in the following months.

Save Your Breath are first on stage and the audience laps up the summery melodic punk. They sound tight and look like they are having fun.

The new songs they play sound more mature and anthemic than past material and they have grown as a live act since the last time they played Leeds.

They end their set with a fantastic cover of Brand New’s Seventy Times Seven, which has everyone singing louder than the band.

Me vs. Hero have a feel of pop punk with a metal influence to their sound. The most fickle audience of all – “the kids” – absolutely love them, maybe due to them being able to appeal to everyone.

Live, they are so catchy that even the most cynical of us could enjoy them, they have perfect sing along moments, heavy parts for the metal lovers and the sight of everyone dancing joyfully will be guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

They cover Understatement by New Found Glory, which goes down a treat. Their slick harmonies and hardcore gang chants sound perfect tonight.

It’s no wonder they had so much interest and were moved up the bill.

All Or Nothing are good Birmingham boys who play amazingly catchy melodic punk. They have been playing together for years and it’s evident in their live show.

In the same vein as the rest of tonight’s bands, they play pop punk for hardcore kids.

Their own Myspace says they are somewhere between “pussy punk” and hardcore punk.

The room isn’t as full as it was for Me vs Hero, but those who are left are a blur of swinging fists and sweat; the crowd are most excited for live favourite One Night, Five Stops, Five Hits and Getaway.

That is, until they play a cover of Fox by Millencolin causing the place to erupt. You are never too old for pop punk as All or Nothing prove tonight.

They have a slightly more mature sound than the other bands but its still pop punk and it’s definitely not just for kids.