LIVE: BAND OF SKULLS

As part of HMV’s Next Big Thing season, featuring their tips for future success in the forthcoming year, Band of Skulls took to the stage as the headline act at the Relentless Garage last night and the London Ruckus girls fourth gig of the week couldn’t have been more different to the previous three.

Hailing from Southampton, this 3 piece rock outfit met at university and started putting on club nights in before deciding to form their own band in late 2008. They’ve had an extraordinary start to the band so far what with the release of their debut album ‘Baby Darling Doll Face Honey’, Itunes and Radio 1′s Fearne Cotton both choosing ‘I Am What I Am’ as their single of the week and a track featured on the New Moon soundtrack.

Band of Skulls first came to my attention at the London New Moon fan event back in November 2009. They were the first band to take to the stage and were, by far, the best band of the night and their album was on my iPod by the following lunchtime.

Despite only 3 members (Emma Richardson, Russell Marsden & Matthew Hayward), they do make a lot of noise. And excellent noise it is too. Pounding White Stripes-esque beats combined with simple and sometimes beautiful melodies make Band of Skulls one of the best new rock bands I’ve heard for many years. Describing their sound as “rock” seems an insult as they are quite obviously influenced by many different bands – bassist & vocalist Emma could easily squeeze herself into the Ramones without anyone noticing.

March & April sees them heading back to the US for a supporting slot with Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.

Band of Skulls’ debut album, Baby Darling Doll Face Honey, is available on itunes now.