New York Alcoholic Anxiety Attack
The Vic Inn, Derby, UK
19/09/07
http://www.myspace.com/NewYorkAlcoholicAnxietyAttack
New York Alcoholic Anxiety Attack (NYAAA) are, in more ways than one, already too big for the grimy black hell hole that is the Vic Inn. Their sound certainly expands to fill the tiny room, but I can't help thinking how great they'd be in say, the London Astoria or Manchester Academy. In the Vic they prowl the stage like tigers in a cage and the intensity of their performance almost chokes us in such a confined space.
Their sound is described in their blurb as "Beautiful Art Rock," which sounded a bit arty farty for my liking, but afterwards, sweaty and impressed, I had to agree. NYAAA are three young guys from Bradford creating real rock music, which is exploding on the Northern English music scene, shattering the tight little clique of desperately quirky Kaiser Chief wannabes and Twiglet-shaped emos.
NYAAA are physical, in the athletic, whirling presence of bassist Matt Graham, the big, heavy drum sound of Tom Bairstow and the gladiatorial figure of front man Mik Davis, all tattoos and bare chest, who appears to be picking up where Jim Morrison let off. Song after song reveal the craft behind the art - "We Are The Chosen" is a garage anthem than would suit bad-gal Amy Winehouse, and the powerfully passionate "Father's Eyes" begs for a huge production, if not pyros and waving banners. If you read reviews like this with a pinch of salt, just check out the comments on their myspace. I rest my case.
NYAAA will be around a long, long time --they are indeed what a young fan described them to me as "a proper band." Catch them while you can afford the ticket price.