The Kut/Zen Juddhism/Riteoff

The Joiners, Southampton

With Rebellion Festival memories still pervading my mind I decide to head to Southampton to catch a band I missed at the main event last week. London based The Kut are on another exhaustive tour of the British Isles, hoping to enhance their growing popularity on the consciences of the British Punk/Alternative masses.

Opening tonight are South Coast “Grungers” Riteoff. They open with “Money” and set out their stall early. Not a band who like to move around these guys are largely statuesque, but that just adds to the whole vibe. “Faker” is next and these guys are by no means “faking it”! “Lost” precedes the altogether downbeat ‘Hollow’ which starts off slow before returning to their trademark heavier sound. Simon (lead vox/guitar) stares straight ahead while delivering a gravelly vocal throughout. The between song banter is minimal but their music is anything but. Antony (drums) has a simple playing style which doesn’t lack power while Tristan (bass) is virtually motionless. I wish his bass was more “low slung” though as I feel it would suit their stage presence more. “Inflicted” is harder, harsher and faster and the more obvious “Nirvana” imprint comes to the fore. Antony’s drums are now huge while Daniel (guitar) is the one band member who takes a few steps to his right occasionally. They end on the curiously titled “Botulism” and have clearly won me over. Old skool Grunge/Rock (with a hint of Stoner), these guys are decent openers and leave to good applause.

Riteoff 1–2–3

What comes next is a first for me and I’m sure many in this audience. “Zen Juddhism” take to the stage with little fuss and their female singer (whose name escapes me) announces that there will be more than one vocalist tonight. They open with “IDK” and straight away I understand why they have 3 singers. Singer number one struggles for range-her vocal is largely flat and I feel for her. On “Concrete Banks” she fares no better and I’m afraid it goes downhill from there. One cannot criticise the musicianship however, the guitarist can play despite the regular noodling almost throughout. The bassist also has a talent and isn’t afraid to move around a little, while the drums are way too loud and the snare is huge. Step forward singer number two. A male voice this time opens with “Private Banks” which is marginally better. Yet when he announces “Hawaii Five O” he again seems to lose all sense of range. Not to be outdone singer number 3 takes to the stage. Another female and at last someone with range who can hold a note. Sadly at this point it’s the songs that let them down, (or rather the lyrics). She goes to great lengths to describe the song origins but “No One Buys Music” is frankly cringe worthy in its simplicity-a song written about the public’s refusal to want to pay for music anymore. They end with “All Of It” and to be honest I’m relieved. The only advice I would give this band is stick with your best singer and write better songs. As harsh as that may sound they could take a leaf out of tonight’s headliners book.

Zen Juddism 1

And so to the headliner. London-based The Kut are slowly but surely making a name for themselves on the ‘DIY Punk’ scene through their sheer hard work on the live circuit. Tonight is gig number 24 of a 27 date back to back tour that lesser bands would struggle with. Thankfully they have been rewarded with a crowd double the size of last yearís gig. While the supports may lay claim to boosting the numbers the majority stick around for the headliners.

This female trio open with “Mario” and straight away get into their stride. Crowd favourite “I Want You Maniac” gets an early airing as they gradually build the sound and performance up. “If Looks Could Kill” is simply great and “Princess Maha” (lead vox/guitar) starts patrolling the stage. Relative newcomer Stella (bass) already looks comfortable in the band with Diana (drums) keeping the beat. “I Don’t Need Therapy” sees their “Riot Grrrl/Grunge” influence come to the fore tonight as they up the ante. ‘Runaways’ sees dual vocals from “Maha” and Stella and the lyric “Staying Out For The Summer…” seems somewhat apt on a night like this. “I Am Vain” gives the girls a good excuse for a bit of impromptu head banging, it’s another Grungier number with strong drums but the title is somewhat at odds with the band themselves!

The Kut 1–2–3–4–5–6–7

“Mind Games” sees the band’s driver (whose name escapes me) double up as their “2nd guitarist” tonight and no doubt on other tour dates. Maha has tuning issues before they launch into the song. On “Bad Man” the audience are encouraged to join the band onstage (as they have done on previous tour dates) – at least 10 punters need no encouragement! The band are in their element now and once the stage is cleared at the songs end, they depart on “Hollywood Rock ‘n Roll”. Well, I say depart-they don’t actually leave the stage as such. Maha says we’re gonna do two more; “No Trace and “Burn Your Bridges”. After playing these two songs we are all to a man (and woman) invited to be in a group photo. There’s a real spirit of inclusion within this band that will serve them well in the future. They finally leave stage after an hour but stick around for photos and chat with the punters.

Being invited to play the main stage at Rebellion wonít have done The Kut any harm and with these extensive tours under their belt I fully expect The Kut to be going to a new level. They have the songs, the stagecraft and a stellar work ethic. But don’t take my word for it, go see them for yourselves.

Set Lists
The Kut
Mario
I Want You Maniac
DMA
Alekhine’s Gun
If Looks Could Kill
I Don’t Need Therapy
Runaways
I Am Vain
Mind Games
Bad Man
Hollywood Rock n Roll

Encore
No Trace
Burn Your Bridges

Zen Juddhism
IDK
Concrete
Am I Alive
Private Banks
Hawaii-Five O
I wanna Be
No One Buys Music
All of It

Riteoff
Money
Faker
Lost
Hollow
Inflicted
Longhaul
Botulism

Video