My Life Story/Aaron Gregory and the Vacant Stares

Old Fire Station, Bournemouth

An unfeasibly early start means this reviewer arrives in good time and able to partake in a pre-gig meal at Subway.

Dinner consumed I head over to the venue. With the support act not scheduled to perform before 7.30pm the DJ takes everybody back in time with an eclectic mix of “Old Skool” Indie/Punk/Post Punk/Goth/Electro classics. Aaron Gregory and the Vacant Stares take to the stage and open with a great tune called “The Last Dance To The Carousel”. Straight away Echo and The Bunnymen come to mind (minus the Scouse accent of course)! The raspy, throaty vocals are complimented by the clangy guitars and heavy drumming-all round the sound is great. Plenty of influences come to the fore but they have a distinct sound. “Wishing Well” is another great song but they’re all great.

After announcing he’d never heard of MLS Aaron recommends we enjoy the headliners after studying them on Youtube during the day. “We Will Always Have Weymouth” is an ode to that wonderful town and they end on a high with “You Want Punk, You Get Punk”. The song is so unrehearsed it’s hilarious! It’s as ramshackle as it is entertaining and evokes memories of the JAMC (to this reviewer), and they leave to great applause. My Life Story return to these parts after 16 years and it’s as if they never went away. They open with “Sparkle” which is great.

Jake’s voice is still as good as before, while the band tonight have a far heavier more “Electric” sound. “The King of Kissingdom” gets us all singing once again before the quite excellent ëBreathe In/Breathe Outí. Despite there being barely 100 people in the room, and the obvious Children in Need festivities the vibe is great. Some colourful dancing is on show tonight most notably on “Strumpet” and they leave us with “It’s A Girl Thing”. Jake returns for a heartfelt rendition of “You Can’t Uneat The Apple” before they end on the wonderful “12 Reasons Why I Love Her” which fills the dancefloor. When I see a band as good as this one wonders why they weren’t bigger. My only gripe this evening would be the length of set. At barely an hour including a 2 song encore many wanted more! However, one hopes this will spur them on to do more tours. It’s been a nice trip down memory lane and we look forward more shows like this.

Setlists
My Life Story
Sparkle
The King of Kissingdom
IYCLWTWAYDY
Breathe In/ Breathe Out
Marianne
Yes to Everything
Motorcade
Strumpet
It’s a Girl Thing
encore:
You Can’t Uneat The Apple
12 Reasons Why I Love Her

Aaron Gregory and the Vacant Stares
The Last Dance to the Carousel
Hostage
Wishing Well
Heart Attack/Midnight is Closing in
Why do you put the weight of the world on my shoulders
w/Kerry Natalie
We Will Always Have Weymouth
You Want Punk You Get Punk

Band Links
http://www.facebook.com/aarongregorymusic
http://www.facebook.com/mylifestory

Words By Ross A “Meatball Marinara” Ferrone