Big fan of the Fangclub!

“Grunge ain't dead, it just doesn't want to be your friend ..." It says repeatedly at the back of the Fangclub T-shirt. These guys totally get it! Something I had noticed before when I just caught their last two songs as support act for The Smashing Pumpkins (in the Ziggo Dome last June). So much energy! I had to see them again. So I did last night. At a small venue, called Cinetol in Amsterdam, Fangclub set the roof on fire. A reincarnation of all grunge bands with catchy riffs and punk influences of Nirvana, heavy bass lines of Alice in Chains and the uplifting drums of The Smashing Pumpkins. And yet their sound is unique. The singer also has his own unique voice, resembling Cobain’s voice just a tiny bit.

Their catchy songs have been in my head for months now. Like Nightmare from their second CD, and the "cheerful" Lightning from their first CD. Even their gloomy song Black Rainbow, I hear myself singing regularly (which they unfortunately didn't play). They did play Last Time, the first song of the last CD. The singer said that they had never played this song live. This song is about his depression a couple of years ago and was too emotional for him to sing. Since this was the last performance of the tour, he did dare to play it. A beautiful song that kicks of quietly and ends dramatically with heavy riffs and elevating drums.

They proudly told about their performances as a support act for Metallica and The Smashing Pumpkins. According to the singer, Billy and James are not at all distant and "private" as they were often portrayed in the media. They were really nice and, in the absence of an own dressing room, TSP had one specially made for the Fangclub in the Ziggo Dome. The Fangclub guys are really nice blokes too by the way. After the performance, the guitarist, Ed, came to us of his own accord to thank us for watching their performance and introduced himself with great manner. Dressed in an orange T-shirt, especially for this show. They just love The Netherlands and "AmsterGodDam" as the singer joked around.

Ed enthusiastically chatted about their roller coaster in the past few months and that he even saw Billy and James backstage composing new songs. And he was worried about getting the ‘holiday blues’ after this exciting tour. "What am I going to do when I am back home?" He wondered. "Write some new music!" I heard myself saying, way too enthusiastic and maybe way too pushy. I said thanks to the singer for their awesome performance and finally got a look at his friendly face that he kept hidden behind his half-long hair, ala Cobain, throughout the performance.

​By the way, how cool is the fact that they supported the biggest metal band ever, considering they have only been performing for the past three years. Yes, Fangclub can be proud of themselves. No matter how large or small the room (or stadium), they play with full conviction. Straight from the heart and with lots of energy, like the bands back in the ‘90s. And just like the hilarious mini-playback show at the end where the singer did a Witney Housto impression lyp-synching "I will always love you" .. Too funny. I am very pleased that grunge (or whatever you want to call that "sound" or "movement") is getting a proper rebirth through these guys. Keep it coming fangs!

P.s.: This morning they played an accoustic session at KINK Radio, check it out!: 
​https://kink.nl/nieuws/fangclub-op-de-koffie-in-kinkstart