Cause For Control/Mad Simple/Second Hand High

January 28, 2023 Off By Jon

The Attic, River Studios, Southampton

I’ve decided on a whim to check out a new venue in Totton near Southampton tonight; it’s called The Attic at River Studios. I have heard good things about the venue from a few people that have played there and fancied checking it out myself. Tonight was originally billed as four bands for £10, but sadly upon arrival I’m told one band Ethel has pulled out. The venue is called The Attic; I was expecting a much smaller place, the venue itself has a large room with high vaulted ceilings with some great acoustics. Adjacent to the main room is a small forum featuring a well-stocked bar and a small seating area.

The first band on tonight is one of our local Bournemouth band’s Mad Simple, who feature former members of The Vixens. The band have recently just released their debut single and performed at the Teddy Rocks festival last summer. The four-piece feature Craig Barker – Vocals/Guitar, Brad McHugh – Lead Guitar, Johnny Real – Drums and possibly one of the most stylish bass players of recent times Joshua Seabury. Kicking off with “Shining” they show themselves to be competent musicians with lots of creativity. There is plenty to enjoy with some really well-crafted tracks including “Taking out The Jury”, “Higher Ground” and the single “Playing the Fool”. Guitarist Brad shows some impressive skills, backed ably by the rhythm section with Craig providing some notable vocals.

Mad Simple 1–2

Before the next act there appears to be a bit of a buzz in the air as lots of the band’s “fans” turn up just before they take to the stage. The band in question is “Second Hand High”, a local youthful Southampton band who appear to be just starting out. The band deliver a set mainly of covers with a couple of their own thrown in for good measure.

Despite the support and the enthusiasm from the audience the band sadly seems under-rehearsed and have a couple of main failings. The vocals at times are quite poor and need some work along with the guitarist, who especially on the covers is making plenty of obvious mistakes. The band’s saving grace is their rhythm section (even with the change of bassist part way through) who seem to know the drill. The crowd really lap up everything that the band have to offer and sing along with their covers “Holiday” by Green Day and final number “Killing In The Name Of” by Rage Against The Machine. My final moan (I’m sorry) but many of their fans just turned up to watch their band and did not give the other bands a second thought, leaving after they had finished.

Second Hand High 1–2

The final band of the evening are Dorset based Punk/Pop outfit Cause For Control, a band that I have seen several times previously featuring founder members Lewis Patrick – Guitar and frontman Dale Fisher. They have bolstered their line-up with Steve Lambert on Drums, Ryan Martin on Bass and an additional guitarist Ben Parker (Soulcreek/Tarraska).

From the off it’s clear that the new musicians make a massive difference to the band’s sound with both Ben and Lewis, two notable guitarists. They have the option of having two leads and a host of creative opportunities – Dale is clearly pumped up tonight and positively comes alive in front of an audience. He’s a proper frontman who gets his audience involved and has a bag of tricks with him on stage to assist this. Kicking off with “Sincerity” from the band’s debut EP and continuing with a newer song “Warning Sign”, the band’s Pop/Punk roots come flooding back to me.

Cause For Control 1–2

They clearly and passionately love the genre and are aiming to carve out their own version. There are bits of Good Charlotte, Blink 182, New Found Glory, amongst others and thankfully the band don’t sound like anyone particularly. Their energy is fantastic and at one point Dale says that they are going to play a cover and in a genius moment the guitarists start the first few lines of “Wonderwall” and then say “fuck that, we only play our own songs” !! Dale’s magic bag on stage produces some free t-shirts for a few lucky recipients, along with a couple of whiskey miniatures for himself. The set ends on a high with a great new track called “Drown”, along with one of their best creations “Reboot”. The crowd give the band adulation they deserve. This outfit have got themselves a couple of notable supports in this town coming up soon and hopefully, this new line-up should start getting the band really noticed.

Set Lists
Cause For Control
Sincerity
Warning Sign
Before We Forget
Tough Love
Every Now and Then
Why Am I Here?
Stuck
Drown
Room to Breathe
Reboot

Second Hand High
?
What Do You
I Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor (The Artic Monkeys)
Take Of You
Holiday (Green Day)
Stacy’s Mum (Fountains of Wayne)
Sugar, We’re Goin Down (Fall Out Boy)
Monkey Wrench (Foo Fighters)
Killing In The Name Of (Rage Against The Machine)

Mad Simple
Shining
Amnesia
Taking out The Jury
Dead & Gone
No Reality
One Way Road
Higher Ground
Playing the Fool

Videos