The Orwells LIVE @ The Black Heart, Camden 28.08.14

Rating:

This group of Chicago young punks must carry one mighty insurance premium. Whether it’s covering any damages to guitarist Matt O’Keefe’s axe as he bravely releases it into the delirious masses, or to maverick singer Mario Cuomo as he hurls himself face down, spread eagle onto his ardent disciples, someone’s wincing with all digits crossed somewhere tonight.

You can hardly blame the Orwells; the sound system tonight is doing them no favours whatsoever. Time, therefore, for even more sweat-heavy, unapologetic chaos. On a mission to make tonight’s select group of lucky ticket holders really feel the songs, Mario doesn’t think twice about assuming the role of a perplexing hybrid of Jim Morrison and Iggy Pop right from the word go. Sauntering about the postage stamp stage with the swagger of the former and sinking his teeth into the set with the snarl of the latter, his stage demeanour more than makes up for the secluded venue’s sonic shortcomings.

The blond-maned maniac’s borderline arrogant posturing and husky tones turn bracing hit ‘The Righteous One’ into something far more potent and ominous than the album version, whilst perennial fan favourite ‘Mallrats’ is as hectic as ever, causing the wooden floor to tremble from the uncontrollable force of pure rock ‘n’ roll, its uncomplicated yet raucous chorus of ‘la la la la la la la la la la la la’ transcending the technical deficiencies of a place not accustomed to hosting such big names.

The owners might want to check the ceiling for damage – and footprints – as well. The lack of headroom was no deterrent for several plucky crowd surfers intent on doing their bit to contribute to the ensuing pandemonium. Crowd surfing might be a perilous pastime, but much like the flag burning referenced in the band’s David Letterman and Jools Holland-approved anthem ‘Who Needs You’, “IT AIN’T AGAINST THE LAW”. If you’re heading down to an Orwells show, bring your board.

The only real disappointment on the night is the lads’ omission of their mean cover of the Stooges ‘I Wanna Be Your Dog’, a regular set closer. Perhaps there were concerns about it quite literally bringing the house down onto the punters below who had inexplicably chosen overpriced booze over invaluable musical mayhem.

It’s no skin off the Orwells’ noses; their popularity on British shores has been well and truly cemented in the week they animated Reading and Leeds and tore up Camden – not for the first time. And it most certainly won’t be the last. They’re back in November to douse the Electric Ballroom in lager, sweat and who knows, even tears of joy. In addition to that surf board, bring a towel.