The Drums before they were Kess-less.THE Drums were so hot during their set at the Anson Rooms in Bristol, the building had to be evacuated.
Seriously.
Three quarters through the set, the fire alarm forced the band off stage during a rendition of We Tried, in which front man Jonny Pierce sings "We tried, and we died" - rather fitting for the situation.
Pierce looked suitably annoyed at being told to leave the stage, throwing his mic down with disdain, but the audience remained unperturbed by the fact there could actually be a fire in the building!
The cause of the alarm was never established but after a few minutes of waiting in the sub-zero temperatures outside the venue, the now disappointingly depleted crowd was allowed back in, and the New York City four-piece re-opened the set with, what they described as, a surging punk-rock version of the pop-tastic Best Friend.
The Drums were on-form prior to the disruption. Pierce, who has evolved into an intriguing, yet charismatic, frontman had the entire Anson Rooms audience transfixed on his flamboyantly captivating Morrissey/Ian Curtis stage presence.
The four-piece, now featuring live guitarist and Russell Lissack look-a-like Tom Haslow, don't appear to be fazed by Adam Kessler's departure earlier in the year and pulled-off a gig sure to stay in the minds of all that attended for months to come.
After entering the stage with aplomb, Pierce addressed the eager audience that it was extra special to be back in Bristol since The Drums' last appearance in January - they were actually last in the city in February, I was there, but let's not be picky.
Submarine, a favourite from 2009's Summertime! EP, was a welcome addition, breaking the first collective beads of sweat, before the upbeat Book of Stories, a homage to perfectly crafted 60s pop, had everyone singing along with its infectious and melancholy, chorus.
Let’s Go Surfing, last year's radio-friendly breakthrough hit, predictably triggered the raucous crowd into life, and a solid performance of I Need Fun In My Life kept everyone engrossed.
After the impromptu break, The Drums were rejuvenated, despite half the crowd deciding to head back home, but it created a more intimate atmosphere and gave the audience a sense of sharing something a little bit special.
The anthemic anthem Forever and Ever, Amen was a delight; Pierce falling to his knees to repeat "forever, and ever, and ever..." over Connor Hanwick's mesmerising drumming and Jacob Graham's hypnotic bass line, but it was Down by the Water that was the true show stopper, exhibiting Pierce's wonderful vocal range and grew into an explosive, emotional conclusion, and presented the enthralled crowd something to savour.
The Drums are possibly one of the most enjoyable live outfits around at the moment and much of this is down to the talents of Jonny Pierce, a truly astonishing frontman that will only mature in stature as an artist. If they can carry on producing the kind of music that has made them so endearing, there is every reason to suggest they will headline much bigger venues.
Pierce and co rounded-off with the rousing The Future, their debut LP’s huge closing number, and, at the end of this gig, everyone is looking forward to what their “future” may bring.
