ATTN:Magazine | Not from concentrate.

This current tour sees Gallows playing considerably smaller venues than last year. Perhaps indication that at long last, the hype is finally fading? With two albums now under their belt, their rise to the top still feels both incredibly fast and frankly, rather underserved, but in a live atmosphere, something just clicks.

Assuming that the band picked the support acts themselves; their collective taste is quite impeccable. Sharks are not an obvious choice, but an excellent one nonetheless. Their hooky mod-punk sounds like a beefed up version of the first Ordinary Boys album whilst more discreet American influences creep into their songs. The rock star posturing is a bore but will do little to derail the band’s bright future.

Likewise, Trash Talk’s inclusion on the tour is far from predictable. Not a band that caters to the more casual Gallows fan, the unlikely looking hardcore mob are a frightening force of nature. Their obnoxious frontman, Lee Speilman doesn’t appear to possess a likeable bone in his body. He proceeds to straddle the speakers, somersault off the barrier, bait members of the audience and ask if anyone can supply him drugs. All whilst the bemused security wonders what they let themselves in for. It’s just brilliant.

Despite swine flu rumours that have been circulating, the arrival of Gallows sees the fiery Frank Carter lead his bandmates through an emphatically primal performance. The band appear humbled by the warm welcome that greets them, which is especially refreshing following a stint on the Warped Tour and major festival slots over the summer. Some of the cockier moments of Carter’s stage banter leave an unpleasant aftertaste, although the band more than makes up by inviting Trash Talk’s Speilman to join them for a rowdy rendition of Black Flag’s ‘Nervous Breakdown.’

But there’s still something that doesn’t feel right about easing your way to the front of a modest venue for a band that were virtually promised the world by the mainstream music press. Whether Gallows have already reached their commercial peak is not particularly interesting. They existed as a band before they became a brand and seeing that they can still deliver the goods is all that really matters.