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Beneath the arches of Brighton station lies The Green Door Store, a barn-like venue that is only distinguishable from the workshops and offices that surround it by the olive tint of the entrance (and the subdued blare of live music obviously). Last night saw the literally-named gig spot play host to PINS, in the midst of an intimate trio of dates that also included London and Brussels over three consecutive days.
It was only last week that PINS came onto the radar for many, as new single ‘Stay True’ reignited the blogosphere, a track that had all the makings of an underground anthem with gang-like chants and post punk builds and swoons. It was clear from the offset that the visceral nature that they bring to their charmingly raw recordings was going to travel into their live show, as the four piece took to the stage and began to wolf cry to the trendy seaside audience. This would seem bemusing coming from many bands, but once PINS explode into ‘Lost Lost Lost’ it becomes apparent that awkward introductions would simply not suit, as the four piece find their uniquity from the fearful attraction they can draw from an audience, who don’t quite know what to do with themselves throughout the set.
‘Say To Me’, the huge single that started it all, follows suit as guitars jagged as their haircuts justify PINS’ ranking in the resurgence of all-girl bands in 2013, with a sound that is less contrived than Deap Vally and more fun than Savages, as all members clearly enjoy what they do, negating any claims that they are simply ‘style over substance’.
Tracks from last year’s ‘LuvLuvLuv EP’ sit comfortably alongside cuts from their as yet unannounced album, as Faith Horley manages to embody a new age of frontwoman, pacing up and down the tiny stage, the emotionless looks to the audience offsetting her colossal voice and intermittent screams. Both forthcoming singles (Get With Me/Stay True) deliver on the anthemic promise we were sold from their recordings, and are taken to new heights with harmonised ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ from Galpin, Donigan and Mcdonald.
PINS have a timeless quality to their live show built on rugged, yet precise foundations, which is something that can only come from a band being confident in their sound and in sync with each other. One ultimately gets the feeling that you are witnessing the future throughout, which is remarkable despite their sound being so heavily influenced from the past, and their fresh take on the post punk resurgence is undeniably exciting. Needless to say, PINS had us bowled over for every minute of their gloriously intense set.
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