My Passion @ Barfly
My Passion have been at the top of what it means to be an underground band for years. Starting in 2006, they’ve almost built up a cult following with their image described as ridiculous Tim Burton hair, over tight black clothes and slack jawed grimaces and their infectious, sniping and bizarre songs.
With street teams around the world from Venezuela to Slovakia they certainly seem to know how to tap into the potential of the unusual. Their touring has certainly proved fruitful, despite near-death experiences on the way (when their tour bus exploded in the Swiss Alps). My Passion's presence in the UK, hitting every club possible is an example set to all new bands about hard work and dedication.
Local supports Man of The Hour and Dreamer start the show. Man Of The Hour pull off an earnest if underappreciated performance of generic rock songs whilst Dreamer stay fairly static but blast out some pretty interesting beats from an elaborate computer and synth set up.
With an oddly low turnout for a band who have been featured in Kerrang! and the NME, My Passion build their entrance into a crescendo despite their presence on stage mere moments before for a soundcheck. Their fantastic lighting rig which graces the dark and dingy Barfly stage is a welcome sight for both fan and photographer alike. The smoke builds and purple light sets a dark and foreboding mood. A high melody line from the seldom seen drummer starts the show and almost immediately the crowd and the band collide, despite the barrier between them. Front man Laurence dives almost head first into the front row to either to get up close and personal or just really intimidate the hell out of them. This continues throughout the night with all three front men trying to get as close to the fans as possible.
Pounding beats and synth lines accompany the heavy drumming and wild guitar. Aggressive and scathing lead vocals accompany a hard to miss, almost constant harmony from the drummer. The driving, pulsing rhythms are a sure fire way to push the energy both on stage and off and verge on techno. The erratic and fantastical movements from these well-versed stage dominators are hypnotic to watch. The music sways from slow to full on ballistic, with an incredible light show to match. Their music echoes American emo band AFI but adds something extra with their precocious attitudes and the biting synth.
Their image is certainly something to factor into the equation, despite everyone’s focus on it with barely a passing reference to the music. Unashamedly made up, with jet black hair cuts and dressed as if in costume is only a passing outside look. Their live show is all about confrontation and interaction, with intense glares, elaborate hand gestures and exceptionally flamboyant rocking out. My Passion’s mood and tone add that extra engaging dynamic which have thousands of fans rapt with attention. That and the call for ‘blood’, in a very dark non-Twilight kind of way.
