31st March *ADEQUATE 7, 3dBs Down, Presumed On Vacation*

The long awaited arrivals of the Welsh Renegades of Funk were finally upon us. Playing the Pitz this month last year, the Adequate7 returned to a play a more-than-adequate gig (Not-so-adequate Wit #1) with some great supports from P.O.V and 3dbs Down.

The first band up, Presumed On Vacation, played The Pitz to a great reception last time. Their catchy tunes and ska-infused riffs showed exactly why. Being one of the first female-fronted bands I’ve seen since Straight Curve, it wasn’t bad at all for a band that’s been together for barely a year now. Couldn’t really hear the vocals clearly enough, but I think that could have also been down to a bit of level adjustment.

As a group, the POV clan work well together with one of their songs completely dedicated to their bassist Kenny. I think they’ve yet to hit their prime but this gig is definitely one to add to their fast increasing experience of the live circuit which very few people their age can say they have.

3dBs DOWN are a group of four lads hailing from Kent. With not one, not two, but THREE vocalists – they play a frenzied selection of punk meets pure rock with a touch of ska and American influence for good measure. The harmonies are evident in their tunes and the 3dBs lads kept the crowd interested with some great switches between delicate melodic intervals and heavy riffs.

With three vocalists in the mix, the fact that they can ALL sing well makes for some amazing effects and the result is an explosive set that keeps you on your toes. Playing several songs from their latest release, “Can Of Worms” (available from www.ontheroadrecords.com) rumour has it that 3dBS DOWN are coming back to the Pitz in July with Captain Everything and SonicBoom6.... Watch this space.

And finally we came to the headliners. Okay, when trying to think of a suitable comparison for the Seven, all I have (and all you lot could come up with!) are the Magnificent Seven, the Seven Dwarves and the Seven days of the week. Give me something to work with here!

Let’s put it this way – if lead vocalist Jamie Smoooth was a day of the week – he’d be the Friday – his lyrics and vocals are so well thought out, like the last methodical hours of your day’s work, yet he has the energy and passion of a Friday night. Billy Death on bass is the Thursday – it doesn’t automatically stand out like a Friday or a Monday – but if it was gone, things sure wouldn’t be right.
In fact, all seven of the posse play their own crucial part in getting that definitive Ad7 sound.

Extended metaphors aside, the Adequate7 possess this amazing ability to keep the audience watching the stage. Playing old favourites such as “Gotta Stay Focused” and “Protest Beat” certainly helped spur audience participation and the atmosphere was - electric. Boring is never a word to be uttered about an Adequate7 show and you can tell that the Collective love performing just as much as we love watching them. And of course – they just HAD to play “Splitting Up” – the song that Zane Lowe himself declared his 'Hottest Record In The World'.
The time went by so quickly, before we knew it, we were down to the last song. “Hands up for this song?” All hands in the air. “Hands for that one?” All hands in the air “Hands up for no one cares?!” All hands again.

It seems that these lads can do no wrong and I for one am definitely looking forward to their second album, due for release later this year….

www.myspace.com/presumedonvacationmk
www.myspace.com/3dbsdown
www.myspace.com/adequateseven

TBG x