Unfortunately on the night in question lead Singer Mykl Barton had a stinker of a cold, speaking to him prior to the set it was touch and go if he could start. That said they took an earlier slot and on the bill and Enter the Lexicon blew everyone away. This Geordie 3 piece are the real deal, with a simple drum, guitar and bass set up they deliver their lyrical rock with style. Opening with New Addiction prior to the brilliant Do You Feel the Same? they have a great delivery and very appealing stage presence.
Mykl's vocal range is impressive and was ably supported by bassist Danny Pitson during the set. Surya is a warts and all basement club, with a less than sophisticated soundscape, but the quality of ETL's performance raised them above and beyond its limitations.
All their tracks are quickly picked up, sing with the band, nuggets. For all the melody and musicianship in the band ETL are no shrinking violets, they have range and confidence to crank it up and deliver a full blooded powerhouse performance that you normally expect from larger bands.
This Band are certainly greater than the sum of their parts, Ben Hardy in particular is one of the best drummers I have seen for quite a while. To sum up I would challenge anyone not to enjoy the experience of ETL live, I can only wonder how good it would have been with a germ free Mykl. If they come your way, get yourself there. Seeing them now will definitely give you the kudos of saying I saw them before they went massive, which with their LA label backing, they most certainly will.
10/10 Iain
@docswallow
Set list:
New Addiction
Do You Feel the Same?
Lo-Fi
Can't Fight Back
Stars
The Right God