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Review: The Howlers, Rough Trade – ‘Desert rock trio stands out’
They call themselves East London’s desert rockers, and we’re far enough from both East London and the desert for The Howlers to definitely stand out at Rough Trade.
The crowd may have been short of cowboy hats or boots (this is Bristol on a Tuesday night after all) but they quickly got into the feel of the indie three-piece, here to celebrate debut album What You’ve Got To Lose To Win It All.
Opener Lady Luck (released as a single at the start of the year, and recently added to the official FA Cup ‘Anthems’ playlist) proved the right choice to ease us into the Howlers’ world: a catchy riff and clever lyrics, played in a stripped-back style for this intimate show.
is needed now More than ever
Yet the band’s journey hasn’t been about pure luck: it’s involved hard graft, lineup changes and trauma, generating two EPs along the way.
As lead singer and guitarist Adam Young tells the crowd, The Howlers wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for drummer Tom Triggs, who stepped in during a period of upheaval for the band.
Along with bassist Guus Ter Braak, the three musicians fit so well together that I can’t imagine this lineup any other way (no offence to the old bandmates), though I’d like to hear more of the basslines brought into the songs overall. Their influences range from Northern Soul to The Black Keys and The Vaccines, and you can certainly hear elements of the former when these guys break out into whistling.
There’s an innate British indie flavour here, too – a sprinkling of Arctic Monkeys, Suede, Primal Scream or The Verve – plus a touch of folk singer Passenger in the tone of Adam’s voice. All in all, it’s a heady mix that comes alive in songs like El Dorado and the lush reverb-heavy To Make a King.
With all these elements colliding, it’s a shame that mainstream labels were annoyingly slow to catch on to their potential: The Howlers have self-released their debut, produced by members of Brighton rock band Black Honey.
In a time when we often see ‘industry plants’ pop up in the charts (acts with major label backing and industry connections, marketed as self-made), it’s refreshing to see these guys take creative control.
The band touch on how grief has been channelled into their music, with all members losing family or friends in the last few years. Cowboys Don’t Cry, in particular, was written for Adam’s grieving mum: it’s a beautiful, soulful song, uplifting despite its underlying sadness.
Though unfortunately Bristol crowds won’t get to see the band’s September tour show at home, we can head to Newport, Oxford or Falmouth to catch them – and I get the feeling a big chunk of tonight’s crowd will make the trip to see The Howlers again. Let’s hope it’s not too long before we see them back here, too.
What You’ve Got To Lose To Win It All is out on May 17.
Main photo: Polly Allen
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