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Reviews: Ditz, Rough Trade – ‘Packed with post-punk thrillers’
“We are from here!” the Ditz singer announces as the band take to the stage to celebrate the release of their second album, Never Exhale.
Ditz are actually Brighton-based but their hearts lie in the south west, having played every venue in Bristol over the years.
We find them in a very grateful mood this evening. I expect they are excited to get their album out after three years of touring debut The Great Regression which has led to growing appreciation all over the country – and especially here in Bristol as I am surrounded by familiar gig buddies and an expectant crowd who have had the new material for only a few days after it was released last week.
is needed now More than ever
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The band kicks off, logically, at the start of the new album: the feedback frenzy of intro track V70 screeches straight into catchy bounce-along single Taxi Driver. It’s an instantaneous song that grabs you and gets inside your psyche from note one.
It doesn’t take long before singer Cal turns the crowd into a catwalk, wandering up and down with the most intense look on their face, a look that shows they mean every word. God On A Speed Dial starts with a fierce modem loading high pitched riff: another post-punk thriller, as the first half of the album is packed with.
Caleb’s bass is up high, his hair hung low in his face, creating an ominous dirge of impending doom for Smell’s Like Something Died In Here, unmistakably the Ditz sound.
The band’s second album is full of ear-grabbing post-punk thrillers
The second half of the set is introduced as “this is where we get a bit weird” as the album slows down and takes a more experimental leaning, causing Cal to “actually sing”.
The crowd gets increasingly into it; mini mosh turns into maxi and, as the album set comes to an end, there is a circle pit of fans letting loose. Cal is on his knees holding the drum kit together, as Sam smashes away and holds the band together like every great drummer does.
He then vacates his kit to let Rough Trade employee Noah, a Ditz fan since he was too young to attend their gigs (but did anyway), smash the drums for a song he requested before the show. It’s such a thrill to see, and for Noah himself to get to play with the band: a great moment of inclusivity and harmony between band and fans.
Ditz: catch them while you can
The set closer is chosen by the crowd and after a process of elimination we all settle on No Thanks, I’m Full. All is right with the world as people take their last chance to dance before heading out to meet the band. Happy band, happy crowd.
I leave with God On A Speed Dial screaming around my head and yet another band to catch at any opportunity throughout 2025.
All images: Matt Barnes
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