Music / Reviews
Review: Milk Teeth, The Louisiana
Hailing from Stroud, Milk Teeth are a four-piece band that are fast becoming something to talk about.
Formed in 2013, Milk Teeth already have an impressive arsenal of material with two EPs from 2013 (Smiling Politely) and 2015 (Sad Sack), and a debut album Vile Child released in January this year. Their style mixes a large punk influence with aspects of grunge, rock and metal. Their evocative sound is reminiscent of a bygone era and would not sound out of place alongside the likes of Nirvana, but they are better than just a bunch of comparisons.
The sell-out crowd at the Louisiana was impressive considering the relative newness of the band, a fact that is undoubtedly due to their hard work as well as their obvious talent. The melodic ballad Swear Jar had the entire audience singing along and the heavily punky Brain Food had the audience in a raucous frenzy of movement. Crowd surfing and mosh pits defined this gig and in the relatively compact space of the Louisiana this only added to the energy and atmosphere. The heavy distorted guitar and girl/boy vocals on Burger Drop harken back to ’90s punk-grunge, with American influences but a distinctly British angst.
is needed now More than ever
Milk Teeth mix light and youthful with dark and heavy to create a very eclectic and thoughtful catalogue of music. The melodic and haunting Trampoline from their second EP Sad Sack beautifully channels desperate inner conflict. Epitomising struggles with self worth and fighting with one’s own thoughts their lyrics include; “I need a place where I can disappear/I need some time away from me I fear”. During their set at the Louisiana lead singer Becky Blomfield prefaced her song Kabuki with an impassioned speech about the dangers of silencing mental health problems, citing Kabuki as the most personal song she has ever written. It’s a stripped back 110-second song, concerned with the struggles of mental illness, and it’s beautifully and simplistically accurate.
The support bands complimented them well. The energetic and youthful Kent based Eat Me embodied juvenile brit-punk-pop with wailing vocals and catchy rhythms: they make you think of teenage summers. Eat Me were followed by the heavier Black Foxxes from Exeter, whose abrasive guitar riffs and anguished screaming vocals created an impressive set with a post-hardcore approach.
Milk Teeth are an intelligent band, seeming to value integrity and originality. They have a lot more room to grow, and if they continue progressing the way they have in the last few years, then they will definitely be a band to keep on watching.
Hear them at milkteethpunx.bandcamp.com
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