October Drift/Oscar And The Karma

December 2, 2023 Off By Jon

Bath Moles Club

Having seen October Drift four times in Southampton in as many years; three times as headliners and once supporting, my co-pilot and photographer friend Chinners had briefly discussed seeing the band further afield. With that thought somewhat shelved I stumbled across an advert on Facebook advertising the band’s final show of the year in a venue I had not ever visited but heard lots about. Work schedules were checked, tickets ordered and a plan of action arranged.

My first gig experience in beautiful Bath was not dampened by the weather; freezing cold and a town buzzing with Christmas shoppers, nor the hour long search for parking!! Dinner is eventually taken in a restaurant that wasn’t fully booked (thanks “Bill’s”) – the previous six being fully booked! We then head for the venue through a maze of streets that even a seasoned traveller might find themselves getting lost in.

Bath Moles is a classic small venue with a 45 year history and an underground room where artists play. The ambience is what us seasoned gig-goers have come to expect – a tight space with minimal standing; black painted walls, a small but well stocked bar & a great sound system. What better way then to spend a Saturday night, watching the slow but measured rise of an Indie/Rock quartet with real ambition.

Opening tonight are Bristolian Melodic/Hardcore quintet Oscar and The Karma These guys have a huge sound as demonstrated during opener “Lover”. Info is in short supply, but their singer reaches from the very depths of his lungs as he grimaces when delivering such a powerful vocal. “Pills” follows, much in the same vein. I am standing right in front of the rhythm guitarist who pulls all manner of shapes while delivering intricate guitar wizardry amongst the deadening wall of sound. The snare heavy “Sever” opens with a stand-in drummer bashing the snare with huge power. Sadly, the vocals are largely lost in the mix – whether this is the point, who knows; but the chiming guitar notes offer some lighter more enjoyable moments.

Oscar And The Karma 1–2–3

“Fleeting Signs” at last offers a more melodic slant where early doors we get to decipher the lyrics before the song of seemingly two halves reverts to type and gets oh so much heavier. “Saut Dans Le Vide” I guess is a band pushing the boundaries somewhat, if ever that live gig across the pond becomes a reality one could practice their 2nd language. They depart on “A Solemn House For Sale” and I’m afraid I am left feeling somewhat underwhelmed. Clearly there is still a place for OATK in their scene, but to make that big step up one needs to have that point of difference – I wish them well.

So, on the back of a successful support tour of the indoor arenas of France, Switzerland and Luxembourg as guests of “Archive”; October Drift are in town for their final live date of the year. With a near sell-out crowd to welcome them, this was more like a homecoming gig in their own back yard. For those of us who are returning disciples, we kinda know what to expect – and we are not disappointed, and some…

The boys take to the stage, one by one and deliver a best-of set that will be talked about in days ahead (sadly for the wrong reasons) – more of that later.

They begin in familiar fashion with staple opener “Lost Without You” which is so loud tonight, one can be in no doubt this will be a performance to remember. Immediately the younger members in the audience react in the only way they know with the first mini-mosh in full flow. “Cherry Red” soon follows as Kiran (lead vocals/guitar) is as energetic as he is intense. With those recent gigs not many days ago one could forgive the band for fatigue, but the guys are literally on a mission tonight. “Don’t Give Me Hope” is the first of many big singalongs – as I look around this room virtually everyone, young and old get involved. Kiran makes his first venture away from the mic to clamber atop one of the speakers, it wont be his only wandering moment!

“Webcam Funerals” is huge tonight, delivered with a passion we have now come to expect. Daniel (guitar) fixes his gaze on this crowd like a man possessed; as he occasionally leaves his spot to Kiran’s right, while throwing his axe around with wild abandon. “Waltzer” is no less impressive while “Bleed” sees Kiran join this enthused crowd as punters assist with raising his mic lead!. Alex (bass) is largely hidden from my viewpoint, but no less expressive while Chris (drums) in the engine room bashes the skins in a controlled fashion. His gurning is less prominent tonight, more a measured concentration. Kiran addresses the crowd at brief intervals throughout, but tonight is all about the performance.

“Insects” is fast becoming a crowd favourite, it’s certainly mine. “Airborne Panic Attack” rightly gets the band/crowd interaction it deserves while ‘Come and Find Me’ sees this packed room in full flow. “Forever Whatever” is an excellent prelude to penultimate song ‘Oh The Silence’ – there’ll be no silence in this room tonight!!

And to finish we get that OD rarity, a cover. Kiran announces the song by declaring “we are about to murder a classic”! The opening bars initially leave me puzzled, but I soon catch up. Their take on the late, great David Bowie classic “Heroes” is as good a cover as one will hear all year – the band have clearly rehearsed well and (IMO) made it their own. Some bands are guilty of not wanting to stray from the original, October Drift however have chosen to embrace the song and put their own stamp on it – I sincerely hope it’s not a one-off? Then again on such a special night, one wouldn’t blame them if this were the case. The band exit the stage to long, loud applause – the now familiar refrain of “one more song” gently builds….. it was so different in my younger days!! Anyway, I digress…

October Drift 1–2–3–4–5

For those familiar with an OD show the obligatory Kiran and Chris acoustic pairing see us out with a mesmerising ‘Like The Snow We Fall’. They gently build the song, this crowd take their cue and join in. I swear towards the end one could hear a pin drop. A truly brilliant and heartwarming moment for all concerned. The guys retreat once more and the 200 or so of us who made the trip reflect on what has aguably been the “gig of the year”. I swear I heard accents tonight from all over the UK which suggests this show was supported by fans from all over the Country.

I cannot begin to say how much I loved this venue as a first timer, I have a real passion for the small venue. Imagine my shock on Tuesday morning when I read that Moles was closing its doors for the last time after 45 years, due in no part to the current financial crisis. The obituary seems to have been written, but over the next few days a petition has been set up to keep the venue open. For those of us of a certain age (and the new breed of gig-goer) we absolutely need to keep these great venues open. One hopes that good sense will prevail and a rescue package can be put in place? But if that was to be the last show here, then they certainly went out on a high.

Set Lists
October Drift
Lost Without You
Cherry Red
Don’t Give Me Hope
Webcam Funerals
Waltzer
Bleed
Insects
Airborne Panic Attack
Come and Find Me
Forever Whatever
Oh the Silence
Heroes (David Bowie cover)
Like the Snow we Fall

Oscar and The Karma
Lover
Pills
Sever
Fleeting Signs
Malignant Rest
Saut Dans Le Vide (in English …Jump into the Void)
A Solemn House For Sale

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