Po-Ha, K1500 Project and the Lollipop Parade 30/8

ok i got asked to chuck this up last night, thought i may as well then
enjoy

Po-Ha, K1500 Project and the Lollipop Parade 30/8

Coming along early for the sound check, I sat back and watched the bands warm up, with two of the bands playing Shihad covers in respect to that mighty band playing that night. It sounded very good, added to that, all the original material on offer, a night of top-notch music beckoned.
First up were the Lollipop Parade, starting with a throbbing drumbeat; they had some mighty-fine foot tapping tunes. Mixing gangly rock with some raw screaming and a harmonica tune, these guys were in-you-face aggressive rock.
For a three piece they had such a full sound (partly due to the soundman I think) they had the small crowd head banging en masse. With the cops coming along and picking up the odd drunk, the atmosphere felt charged and heated.
Next up were Po-Ha, now I’ve enjoyed them but never really called for an encore from these guys. With increased vocal harmonies, added to their accomplished setlist, I say back and enjoyed myself. An excellent rendition of “Envy” by Shihad led to a mad eight-man mosh (reminded me of some of the early TLBT shows I went to) smashing in to each other and loving the sound.
All the while their drummer relentlessly punished his kit, either he has enough money to replace a smashed kit or he’s adept at a little D.I.Y drum repair, he remained a visual presence through out the set. If Po-Ha’s guitar skill hasn’t increased much, their voices have, with a stronger more controlled style, which seemed to me to be what really impressed the crowd. I even heard myself asking for more, another Shihad cover would be most welcome.
After Po-Ha left the stage K1500 Project were up next, with calls of “Slayer, slayer!!!” greeting their entrance to the stage they started up playing their trademark rowdy pop-rock. It was loud, obnoxious and great to behold. The singer with his unique scratchy rugged voice was impressive, absolutely exuding happiness for all to behold.
With their catchy pop-tunes well crafted to hook to crowd into a bout of swaying. K1500 Project suddenly changed to a much heavier style, with voices screaming and guitars thrashing, their set seemed to go on maybe two or three songs too long, I started to get bored. The crowd didn’t seem to care though. So with a manic energy possessing K1500 Project, they launched into a crazy rendition of Shihad’s “My Mind’s Sedate” the crowd just went mental, swirling and churning, the end seemed a bit of a killjoy (excuse the pun) another cover or four would have been happily accepted.
Seeing these fine Shihad covers, really got me excited for Shihad the next night…