By Scott Hays
The NECC showcase at Ship Isis offered a stark study in contrasts: one band at times struggling in delivery, and another reclaiming the soul of the region’s punk heritage.
Melodic Disasters opened the night with a set that lived up to their moniker in some ways. The performance was at times a struggle, with the band sounding like they were playing different parts of the song. Some songs showed clear potential. Unpolished is fine, but the set would have benefited from more time spent in rehearsal.
Ugly Criers arrived to salvage the night. This three-piece melodic punk outfit is a masterclass in the Sunderland Punk Sound, pulling directly from the gritty, emotive blueprints of Leatherface and HDQ. Their triple-vocal attack is really quite special, layering harmonies over driving, melodies. A fresh takes on that nostalgic Sunderland punk sound.
