Dexters LIVE @ Absolute Radio 4.11.14

Just days after returning from Germany and they day before they head to Liverpool for the start of a UK tour, East-London band Dexters managed to squeeze in an Stubhub session at Absolute Radio. Swiftly equipped with cocktails and earplugs, we were escorted upstairs. I will, at this point, include a life lesson for everyone: if you are advised to take earplugs, there’s probably a reason for it, thus, don’t be stubborn, as you will end up as I did with an incessant ringing in your ears.

Piled into the studio, and encouraged to get as close to the band as possible – hence the earplugs – we stood, waiting for Dexters. After a brief introduction from Sarah Champion, Dexters sprung from behind a curtain, and, without hesitation, launched themselves into a fantastic set. Despite playing to a room of no more than 30 people, Dexters played with the energy and determination of a band playing a much bigger venue – it’s admirable, despite what it did to our ears, and it’s clear from the start this is a band who really want to be doing what they’re doing.

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They played through full-powered gig playing popular tracks from their debut album, as well as less popular ones and new track, Nature of the Beast, which can be expected on the new EP. While the energy never dropped through the entire set, it was clear during some songs that these guys are going somewhere. Their tightness as band – perhaps a result of the fact that they’ve known each other for so long – is unbelievable; everything seems to just flow as it should, and everything sounds as though it should, regardless of where they’re playing, or how many people they’re playing too. Dexters weren’t about to let this be a let down as a gig, just because there weren’t many people there. Songs such as Start to Run proved exactly why NME described them as “brash guitar anthemia of the very highest order” – reminiscent of the likes of the Buzzcocks and The La’s, it’s impossible not to sing along, so that’s what everyone did.

After the set, Dexters chatted to Champion about their famous fans – including Peter Crouch and Noel Gallagher – opening for the Happy Mondays, and how they never ever fight, even on tour. How sweet! Whether we believe them or not is a different matter, however what I can tell you is true is that these guys are on their way to something good.

Melissa Svensen

Melissa Svensen

Melissa, 22. Editor. Student, music journalist, probably talking about Blur or Bowie