Live Review : Better Lovers + Blanket @ Brudenell Social Club, Leeds on October 7th 2023

Brudenell Social Club is an institution, known across the nation as one of the remaining best independent venues for alternative music in the country. I've not been to a gig here for a few years now, but that feeling of familiar comfort mixed with excitement immediately hits as I walk through the door. It's been a crazy hot and sunny day, which made the matinee performance sweaty enough but, if anything, this evening it's a more intense heady mixture of humidity and anticipation.

Support act Blanket hail from just across the Pennines and start the night off for us with their grunge-tinged ambient rock. They immediately grab the crowd with their filmscape influenced post-rock laced with shoegaze elements. There are aspects of similarity with the atmospheric qualities of Loathe and the nostalgic grunge vibes of Nirvana. The guitars switch from dreamy and atmospheric delicacy to the raw energy of post-grunge metal at the flick of a switch.

They demonstrate an engaging and gritty guitar sound that draws you in, with the drums and bass providing a solid foundation, and laptop adding some additional vocal elements. The vocals don't always quite hit, although there are some nice harmonies in synch with the additional tracked vocals, with the backing track dirty vocals notably seeming detached from the rest of the performance. Interestingly, fans of Greg Puciato's solo work will likely find something to latch onto with Blanket, who are definitely worthy of their gradual rise.

When Every Time I Die called it a day, I thought I’d never find a band again that does something genuinely alternative, ferociously passionate and a similarly unique take on hardcore. Then we got given the news that Jordan Buckley, Steve Micciche and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak had joined forces with long-time ETID production collaborator and musician Will Putney. Add the final piece of the jigsaw in the extraordinary frontman Greg Puciato (formerly of The Dillinger Escape Plan) and they were ready to unleash what promised to be a new thrilling hardcore band. Better Lovers were born and yelps of joy could be heard across the scene. Fast forward and they’re touring the EU and UK with a stunningly exciting EP under their belt. Alex and I are lucky enough to catch them at the afternoon matinee as well and, whilst brilliant, they somehow manage to crank it up a notch further for the evening performance. Dare I say delivering gig of year? I dare.

It's something when you can say that a band of instantly recognizable auditory elements from previous bands gels so perfectly. Will Putney and Jordan Buckley trade distinctive guitar segments, jagged and chaotic one moment to dirty fast-grooving riff the next. Micciche pile-drives through on bass and Goose pulls it all together adding even more force on drums. At the front is the ever-wonderful Greg Puciato, with his dynamic yet varied hardcore vocals and stage craft. Opener ‘Become So Small’ is the standout track for me, but we’re also treated to some new unrecorded tracks and even a Soundgarden cover. There are brutal hardcore vocals, fast as lightning fret work and even faster stick work. All the time they all dart and spin across the stage dodging the numerous stage divers and enthralled frenzied fans. It’s a phenomenal performance from a stunning band – we might not get to see them in such an intimate venue next time, but oh my will we be still be there next time!