Wednesday night April 27, Seattle’s Tractor Tavern hosted England’s Subways. Bursting with power and dripping with charisma, the band is led by they very boyish looking Billy Lunn. Add his brother Josh Morgan who thrashes the drum kit like a wild animal and Charlotte Cooper on bass.
Charlotte was no slouch in the charm department. She waved her pink tinged strands about as she leaped about the stage and sang backing vocals.
Musically this punk pop trio possessed elements of the Plimsouls, a bit of Buzzcocks and Blur. They were Brit pop at its finest wrapped up in a very tight unit with catchy, melodic, guitar driven tunes.
Billy was quite the entertainer and had the crowd in the palm of his hands, getting them to crouch to the floor, then leap up on command. This is a band that obviously loves playing together and being on stage and the audience senses this immediately.
When they performed their song Rock & Roll Queen the dancing got so intense I was actually slammed into the stage more than a few times.
The Subways put on one fun filled show and the show was well attended, with many singing along to some of their songs.
Opening for the Subways was an all female quintet calling themselves PINS. Hailing from Manchester, England, these women packed a punch. Part ultra fashion with punk influenced glam. Singer Faith Holgate boasted long thin platinum tresses that she topped with a black hat she claimed she bought at the store next door to the club. Drummer Sophie Galpin slammed the skins like (to quote Sublime) a mother fu**ing riot) PINS is a group of very versatile musicians with a very dynamic and amiable stage presence.
For their finale, Faith jumped off the stage and sang a cover of the Misfits Hybrid Moments while standing in the crowd. And judging by the enthusiastic response from the audience, I’d say I wasn’t the only one impressed by this group. The other members consist of guitarist Lois McDonald, bassist Anna Donigan, and Kyoko who pounded the keys, played guitar and slammed the tambourine. I highly recommend both bands.
– Holly Homan
The Subways
PINS
