GiggingNI.com

What better place for an Album Launch than Belfast's Black Box? The set up is a simple one, you have the bar, the stage, and...well...that's about it. The atmosphere comes from the little things that you don't find in many other venues today. It's the poetry stylings of the cafe, the candles at each table, and the massive projector screen that tonight will show colourful and decorative tributes to complement each band as they play. The fact is, the Black Box is a venue practically designed to be a favourite for all things slightly alternative. Tonight is the Pocket Billiards Album Launch, and the line-up chosen gives the distinct impression of a band that has much to celebrate, given their long laboured touring schedule and highly regarded reputation on the local scene it is only fitting to have support bands that are not only unique, but who showcase the best music around within their respective genres. This ramshackle approach works wonders, and as the night gets off the ground and the band members walk around casually, you get the impression that you are being let into another world, one where the rock scene meets the rap scene with a handshake, and somewhere in-between, the Ska scene comes gloriously to the forefront.

Aggressors B.C take to the stage, donning the pretty neat trilby and suit combination, and quickly launch into the jangly guitars and melodic shouty vocals that make Ska stand out as honest, fun music. The first thing that you will notice is that this band are as musically tight as they come, and the second will be that the crowd is already standing and nodding along by the time the first song has barely begun. The twin vocals add another layer to their sound, and the female lead stands out as something different for this style of music, allowing a kind of softer, subtle appeal usually missing from the full-on approach of some guitar bands. As an opening band, Aggressors B.C do no wrong, and while perhaps not yet headline material, it is clear they have a passion for the music they create, and will hopefully continue to fly the flag for the Ska scene within Northern Ireland.

The crowd is eventually lured back to their rightful positions by a sound not yet heard tonight, that being extreme guitar feedback and mindless screaming. Perhaps the only apt opening Axis Of could have chosen, as their style couldn't be farther from that of the previous band, instead conjuring up images of a mix between At The Drive In and Sikth, and while perhaps not as refined as either of them bands, they make up for it with the sheer force of their music. They tick all the boxes when it comes to a live rock performance, unpredictable in their timings and relentless in the vocal department. On form tonight, the crowd respond well to their hard edged sound, with a notable increase in numbers, never mind the amount of leather jackets.

So it's in the midst of growing crowds, pints of beer and a growing anticipation that Team Fresh take centre front. On paper their style of music - rap/rock - has been done many times over, but add in the distinct Portrush accents and close to home lyrics and you have something very special indeed. Not a band to distance themselves from their homeland, they create music that will hopefully ensure people will look past the Rage Against the Machine similarities, and judge this band solely on their own merit. Team Fresh are clearly enjoying themselves tonight, and rightly so, with the crowd embracing the chance to jump around unashamedly. Songs such as 'Last Orders in Rovinj' and 'Buckfast and Ganja' stand out in particular, and although the vocals sometimes get lost due to how fast they play live, no one could argue against the fact that their hybrid of Rap and Rock is perhaps the most exciting sound around today. A few swigs of Buckfast later and the band leave the stage conquering heroes.

Its on the wave of strong support that Pocket Billiards take to the stage. Given their long standing reputation you would expect them to be an exciting live prospect, and if you thought that, you would be right. The nine piece band play their way through the album tracks with such vigour that can only be reserved for a band that knows they are on the verge of great things, with the particular standout track being 'Drunken Waster', which goes does especially well. Forget the normal four piece bands, Pocket Billiards complement each other perfectly, with each instrument getting its turn to shine. The music they create is not fully Ska, but its not fully Rock either, in reality it is perhaps a perfect mix of both, giving the feeling that there is no pretension present at all, just honest feel-good tunes. Not only are the album tracks played, but there is also a selection of older tracks which get just as good a reception from the long term fans in the room. Then it all goes a bit crazy. In true impromptu style, members of Team Fresh join the band onstage for the final number, which sees the line between the band on stage and the audience completely blurred. Pocket Billiards go out in style, with the chanting and singing nearly overshadowed by the crowds own efforts. So while Pocket Billiards may be moving up in the world, this release of album number one will only see them gaining more fans, inspiration, and will undoubtedly help to cement their already high reputation as one of Belfast's most prominent and long standing bands.

So, a success then? Well, in a time when all people want to talk about is the Economic Climate, G-Brown, and the general collapse of society as we know it, it is slightly refreshing to be in a room with people that are here to have fun, and tonight you couldn't be faulted for almost thinking everything was just peachy, and that perhaps music can save the world after all.

Venue: The Black Box, Belfast - Date: 10/10/2009

GiggingNI.com Rating: 9/10 - Review By: Jason Murdock