7/10/2011 Obsessive Compulsive @ The Boston Arms Music Room

Subject	Obsessive Compulsive @ The Boston Arms Music Room
DateCreated	11/6/2011 10:52:00 AM
PostedDate	11/7/2011 5:56:00 AM
	Back to one of London's best value for money music venues tonight - I'm at the Boston Arms Music Room to see Obsessive Compulsive. Unlike last time the band played at this venue when they were given a really early stage time, I actually managed to catch their set. This Manchester band defy all the stereotypes of music from that city - this lot are no indie scenesters. Their sound is heavy, riff laden, and aggressive - but it's not metal and the vocals are mostly sung rather than screamed or shouted. I'm a bit disappointed that the massively heavy and riff-tastic 'In Memory Of...' seems to have been dropped from the set to make way for newer material, but otherwise this is a solid and intense set of songs. There is much shape throwing and heroic gurning - Obsessive Compulsive don't just sound really powerful, they also look like they mean every note they play - and you'd better believe it! This band don't get down to London too often, but they are certainly worth catching if you get the chance. They will be out on tour supporting the mighty Wolfsbane soon, so if you are going to see the Tamworth Terrors make sure you get there early!  I was planning on attending two gigs tonight, the second one being TAT at The Scala. This seemed well do-able as it was club night and the band weren't due on stage until around midnight. I was looking forward to this as the band haven't seen fit to play in their hometown for at least a year and they now have new songs to show off. However, on arrival at The Scala the queue was round the block and didn't appear to be moving at all.  I suspect virtually all the people were queuing for the club rather than the band, and as it looked highly unlikely we would get into the venue in time to see the band we decided it wasn't worth bothering - so we went in search of late night beer instead and ended up in Big Red.