28-02-2015 Scumbash

Location: Van Nelle Fabriek, Rotterdam (Netherlands)
By: Sabine van Gameren

Scumbash is the story of local entrepreneurs with a dream of organizing a festival in town. Now in year two and while writing this it is absolutely clear that this Rotterdam party has been succeeded.

A whole lot of rockers came down to the historical and iconic building of Van Nelle Fabriek. About 18 bands were giving acte de présence so there was enough choice for each. Starting the day would be Death Alley. Their job as openers is to warm up the audience but they are mainly giving the focus to playing. Result: a huge gap between the audience and the stage and no interaction at all. A pity, because the band is not doing a bad job. They just could have got more out of it than they do now.
The guys have a mix of hardcore/punk/metal up their sleeves that has the energy and skills there to be a band that gets a whole place going, but perhaps the stage is now a bit too large. We can imagine them being more successful in a smaller place where their sound reaches the audience a bit easier.

Besides the two indoor stages (it’s February… let’s stay indoors) they have a small stage in a tent. Some interesting acts are scheduled on the stage and right with the first one the tent appears to be packed in no time. Cuda is the first one and they are described as cowpunk. Well, no time is left to waste to find out what we can expect from that as the guys are bringing it to you right away. While their vocalist is marching over the stage from left to right, back and front the others the guitars are giving us their own show. Sometimes the band brings it more united and that creates an atmosphere in which you immediately pick up that feel good atmosphere. A fine act for this tent stage!

Dario Mars and The Guillotines are on the main stage called “The Kraken”. Described as Spaghetti Western Voodoo Garage. The band has a classic approach and appears to work as a solid team. Two of them are standing out. First, their guitarist, being a charismatic persona that plays his music with flair. No need to add anything that is not needed and therefore giving the most essential sounds.

Then there is another great charismatic persona on the stage and that is the frontwoman of the band. She’s bringing her vocals with a lot of intensity and the way she moves over the stage indicate she’s living it up in the moment. Beautiful to see, an act that comes from within and has a lot of persuasion to bring that across and does this in a very natural way. The first surprise of the day.

What really gets the audience awake today is the appearance of the band Sham69. The band is around for about 30 years now and their reputation is great, as if you had not heard from them before, Scumbash will introduce you then.

The punkers don’t really need much effort to get the audience on their side and in no time the movement is starting. The band played songs from throughout their entire career and with some classics on the list it is not a surprise to see a lot of happy people. “If The Kids Are United” is coming by and while waiting for the final songs it is Ozzy Osbourne which get a bit of a roast over him. Bloody hilarious so to say and at last the band gives a tiny encore before leaving. An instant success here today.

Time to get a bit heavier and No Turning Back is ready to give that to Scumbash. The band makes Hardcore and has been playing a whole lot of gigs. We came across the guys plenty of times before and so we know what to expect: an excellent and energetic performance as always. And then it is to question if they deliver, but may be it is no longer a question for of course we were getting that super energetic show by them. A massive pit comes alive which translates all that energy into appreciation for their show. No Turning Back, we have no comment. Simply as good as expected. As always.

After No Turning Back it is time to catch some breath. Paceshifters is playing and they are giving a whole different sound. A rock sound that is intimate, vocals that are breakable, raw and yet powerful. But regardless the energy the band is putting into it, the band is more one that you watch and experience intensely, rather than outing that energy so much.

Yet, what comes to notice is that the venue is filled from front to back which tells that their show is much appreciated. Their strength is found in the bond between the three. They seem to live it individually but their sound comes together so well, balanced and well timed. Nothing needs a spotlight, it is the three of them together that makes this performance to its greatest success.

Batmobile was playing next and the psychobilly act is partly local here. What we can say about these guys is that they had a good thought of their show. It’s not just music, it is a show. And without making it too much of a theater the guys play around on the stage. Simply having fun while performing. Double Bass being dragged over the stage and a vocalist which with his charismatic mimics makes everything into something special. Maybe the band represents one of the finest surprises of the day, it certainly was a great show.

Four Headed Dog. Well, many people know these guys from Peter Pan Speedrock. The three of them plus one. The four in the name is not just a four after all. However, if you expect more of PPSR under a different name, you may come out disappointed. The band is having their sound more towards the Stoner Rock and that done with style. Lengthy songs, long guitar parts and don’t expect a lot of words coming out.

The guys presents us a solid set but it may be a bit too long for those that are not particularly into this music. The performance comes without any extra show, just the playing and that may be perfect for those who appreciate that, but it is a bit like ‘in or out’. You like it or you hate it and not much between.

The Exploited was playing the main stage and although we had them high on the wish list we could not really stop ourselves from being disappointed afterwards. And that maybe very different for the many, many dedicated fans that were screaming for them. Shouting the names of the band members to get their attention. Rocking out to the songs being played.

Well where did that disappointment come from then, you may wonder. The answer is simple; it all comes so incredibly easy for these guys that it seems like they hardly put any extra effort in it than it strictly needed to get them people go crazy. Walking around a bit, letting the audience do the vocal work. An arm reached out to the audience makes that vocalist Wattie don’t have to do it, so he reaches out a lot. Walking up and down the stage giving a bewildered look into the audience, a nod of the head and that’s enough.
No, the band could have done a little more perhaps. The fans are so dedicated that they would deserve the best and although we believe 100% they had a good time anyway, it still feels a bit like they are cheated on. Such a pity.

The Dutch act Disturbance is showing us some love for the music today. Right from the beginning you could see the passion of these guys coming off it. A furious and energetic show was ahead and the audience was up for it. Embracing the band’s music right away it is not hard to imagine that the place was in movement. The band’s joy seems contagious.

What makes the band stand out for is that they seem to have a somewhat modern way of making their songs. They put some attention to details and therefore it comes across as a steady act. Disturbance has nothing to complain about, their show was right, the audience was right and we know that they will light up any party with their show, so hope to see them a lot more.

Stoner Rockers of Monster Magnet was also playing here tonight. The mighty Dave comes out full confidence with his band on his side and ready to play some songs. We were fearing to see him disappear with all his effects as they were a bit at the back of the stage and we have seen that happening before with Monster Magnet, but Dave was pleased to stay more towards the pretty faces of Scumbash today.

A bunch of covers came along during the set, most odd of course the fact that “American Pie” got played, but the Monster Magnetized version of it has its charm. The guys were up for one and a half hour which seems a bit long for the audience as they at some point seem to turn more into bar with background music rather than them watching the performance, but Dave and co came back with their more known songs and got the people back again. “Space Lord” as a highlight and then the show was over. A good set, maybe not completely the audience for it though.

John Coffey comes in wildly. Their vocalist starts the show with falling off the stage in his bewildered enthusiasm but without leaving a second go to waste he continues to use the opportunity in his advance to come a little closer to the audience. It wasn’t the only fall that the audience was to witness but that’s the risk you take with all these acrobatics. We see them climbing up places and jumping off again, microphones flying around, you would almost think the shared classes with the Dillinger Escape Plan. Then, that’s that, does the wild rage going on translate to the music as well, yes it does. Never flawless, always with a little raw and wild edge on it.
Altogether the guys set a good show. The energy is there and the show and the music are complimenting each other which made John Coffey a welcomed guest today.

As very last act Reverend Horton Heat was up. This trio has a great thing going with their combination of different elements. Maybe the start of the set wasn’t the most catchy but they took that up further in their set. As a closer the band is able to keep people watching their set fully and close of the day with a good feeling.

Scumbash brought a day with many surprises. Some of the bigger names did not come out as much where other heroes where strongly surprising. What we can say about the festival in general is that besides the good line up, the organisation also takes good care for their visitors supplying them with enough choices on food and place to sit down and eat it. They created a good party with Rotterdam’s hospitality all over it. Be welcome and enjoy the day!

Photo’s by sabinevangameren.com

Links:
Scumbash Official