I admit I knew little about the Mirrorkicks until I went to see them play before Christmas. All I had really seen of them was their cover of X-Factor winner Leona Lewis' single, "Bleeding Love". I also knew that they were from an area of South London that I knew well growing up, and had recorded their latest video at Ruckus staff writer Lizzie's university. All good stuff, but not really enough to know if a band are going to be worth my time.
Before the gig, I got the chance to meet the boys for a few minutes, and ask them a few questions. Walking into their dressing room they looked like they could be four members of four different bands, but their chemistry and closeness somehow meshed them together. And if any band should be close it is these guys, with most of the band having met when they were only eleven years old at the start of secondary school. Lead singer Anil and drummer Ingmar are brothers, and their other brother is the band's manager. We were also promised that the rest of the family are as musically inclined and ready to be Mirrorkicks juniors someday.
This is a band that has been through many permutations and combinations, and even more names, before finally settling into the form they currently hold; Ed Pereira on guitar and backing vocals, Gerard De Waal on bass, Ingmar Kamalagharan on drums and Anil Kamalagharan on Lead vocals and guitar.
Their musical influences seemed to be as diverse as their look, with bands cited from Oasis and The Manic Street Preachers to solo artists such as Bjork and Jeff Buckley. I was curious as to how they could make it work in their music, and didn't have long to find out. After our quick chat we headed downstairs to see the band take to the stage and do what they do best.
The stage performance we saw was throbbing with energy, and it was obvious that despite their varied musical tastes, this band make it work with heavy bass lines, thrashing guitars and energy infused vocals. Anil is the perfect frontman, seeming to perform with his whole being - he made me believe every word he sung.
The crowd was really behind this young London band, cheering and singing along to songs that have caught people's attention on YouTube with their innovative concepts such as the handmade video for "Lego" (catch it here). The cheerleaders from Roehampton University who appear in the video for the band's cover of "Bleeding Love" came down for the show, but sadly didn't get up on stage and perform with the band.
All in all their live show was amazing, with the band's energy and passion really spilling over into the crowd. They are definitely a band I would go and see live again, and I really look forward to seeing where they go next.
The band's latest single "Anything" (video above) is out this week and is available to buy on iTunes.
(Photos by Ruckus Blogger Liz)
