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THE ATARIS, London Astoria 2, 22-02-03

We have already reviewed Audio Karate’s live performance in the pages of this magazine and our result remains the same…they play their album beautifully on stage with little variance and little to no stage act.  They are musically awesome but lacking entertainment-wise although they have improved massively on the gig in November to the fact that they actually spoke to the audience this time.  And praised Stella for being better than American beer.  I think they were drunk. (6)

Antifreeze were agreed by most to be the most impressive and surprising band this evening.  They entertained the audience enough to cover for AK’s downfalls and played catchy early Blink style pop-punk.  Ripping off Blink got a bit much though when it got to over-emphasised bass solos although to be honest, I don’t think anyone, especially the band, gave a crap.  We were having far too much fun.  The set was personal and friendly, another of AK’s letdowns and the band went down brilliantly with the audience who, to be honest, were just waiting for The Ataris to take the stage. (8)

The Ataris themselves were brilliant.  I mean, what else does one expect?  They are the epitome of emo pop punk and live up to the role.  The audience was brilliant and the band pulled off all of their best songs from End Is Forever and one or two older ones and two newbies – ‘In This Diary’ and ‘Takeoffs And Landings’ from the new full-length ‘So Long, Astoria’ (what a coincidence…Astoria, So Long, Astoria…)  ‘Teenage Riot’ was so much fun live, everyone was dancing, even the security guard was smiling!!!  Kris acted up a bit though, smashing the amp and his guitar up needlessly and it did seem very staged and un-emotional really.  The audience were there very much to be entertained and thanked for coming and we were rewarded with on-stage antics including one lucky bastard playing along on Kris’s guitar before it was smashed and then someone was given the wreckage after it was. (9)

I would recommend all of these talented young men to anybody who would listen, as it was an overally enjoyable gig with 3 excellent Kung Fu bands and a friendly atmosphere.