Sunday 09/02/03 Miss Black America, Reuben, Kinesis @ Barfly, Liverpool

Miss Black America seemed to be a bunch of friendly chaps before the gig, so it's a shame that their performance was lacking something. A complete change in line up with the exception of singer/guitarist Seymour Glass might be the cause of this but whatever the problem their music still felt like one long song. A song I've heard too many times before, still, they had a novelty drummer.

Emerging from Surrey's increasingly loud emo scene, comparisons of Reuben with Hundred Reasons, Hell is for Heroes and Vex Red are inescapable. Favourable comparisons they may be but Reuben suffered tonight from having their best three songs as their final three songs.

Their set also felt a little long, like Miss Black America much of it felt like one song, to my ears. Something is needed to break up the set like their peer's 'Falter' - something slow, which allows them to connect with the crowd whilst still performing. They already have a good fan base for an independent band, and I suspect after tonight there will be more. Reuben's priority should be to write some cracking new tracks ready for an album when they inevitably get signed.

The Barfly isn't exactly a massive venue of 4,000 plus, like when I last saw Kinesis, but hey this isn't going to stop them thrashing their guitars with as much energy as they can muster. They might be young but they're no Inme. These guys have the ability to play and write and yet somehow not make you want to vomit blood.

In fact the place is full, there's a mosh pit and even a few attempts at crowd surfing (not by me mind); everyone is loving it. It's a wonder they haven't had more radio and MTV2/Kerrang time. For more on Kinesis check out the interview on site.

Photos by Thomas Toti :: thomas@gigwise.com