Sunday 7 April 2013

Joy Projector presents 3ft Ninja

After a lovely drive through the North Yorkshire Moors, I arrived at Danby Village Hall, the venue for the evenings shenanigans. The hall had been spruced up with fairy lights and a projector was displaying scenes across the ceiling. There were tables set out with carrots and a variety of rabbit masks, which kind of had me pondering what was to come.

Josh and Alex, an acoustic duo from Teesside, were first up. Reminding me of James Morrison, their tunes were melodic and the vocals very strong. Although not my cup of tea, the guys clearly have talent.

Next up a band that I was eager to see, Dead New Blood, who came highly recommended. Within the first few seconds this four piece had me rooted to the spot. Mesmerised by the pounding drums and scintillating guitar riffs, it was really loud, everything I love about a great rock band. Although the first tune was vocal free, the music was so captivating that words weren't necessary. When the next song started I was taken aback slightly by the vocals. I had been expecting a kinda run of the mill indie/rock sound and instead was greeted with deep bluesy notes that danced around my ear drums. Their final track of the evening had everything a great rock tune should possess with 70s psychedelic guitar riffs, rhythmic drums and great vocals. You can check these guys out on Bandcamp, and seriously, can't recommend them enough!

The last band of the night, 3ft Ninja, a  3 piece indie/punk band also from nearby Castletown, opened with Fire and the Fury, taken from their self titled debut album. Having seen them play 3 times in the last week, I knew my senses were in for a treat. The band has so much energy, belting out anthemic tunes one after another. These guys are so entertaining to watch, as well as giving your ears a bashing, (in a good way), it is near impossible to get a photo that isn't blurred as they bounce around the stage (and off it). By the end of the second song the drummers shirt was off, which appears to be his trademark. They played a couple of covers, sixties ska standard 'Monkey Man' and the Specials' 'A Message To You Rudy', and although both well executed, felt a bit unnecessary in the set as their own material is exceptional. They encored with what is to be their next single and finished with the Prodigy's Breathe, (of which I wasn't aware as not a fan), which was incredible. These guys are definitely my ones to watch for 2013, so do yourself a favour and check them out.