Back in April 2010, Second Impression were capable; if not quite rising stars, they certainly looked a touch more interested than the usual middle-aged Camdenite bottom-feeders you'd find playing small venues of a weekend in NW1. They had youth, enthusiasm, and most of all, melody backing them up. One year on, all three characteristics are more noticeable than ever.
Yesterday's setlist and stagecraft showed the nous of a band at least twice these teenagers' age. Newies were effortlessly weaved in amongst older crowd favourites with seamless ease; 'In The Night' in particular stood out, all Biffy Clyro guitars and meteoric drums. Those aforementioned favourites were as well received as ever; opener 'Arrows' still sounds like a tragically neglected single from 'Silent Alarm', while the bass-heavy throb of 'Lilacs' evokes 'By The Way'-era Red Hot Chilis.
Don't be fooled by the tried-and-tested influences; Second Impression are a band with ideas. The phenomenally powerful rhythm section would drown most any other songwriters around; the fact that dual guitarists Jovis Lane and Alex Gorokhov can whip such needle-sharp, strong guitars over the explosive beats of Charlie Bostock and Marco Gaspari shows significant musical sensibility. Coupled with this much chemistry and energy, that makes for stunning, exciting music.
"This is easy pop for happy people" spat lead vocalist and guitarist Lane, "as some fucking reviewer called us. If you like Scouting For Girls you'll love this". On Saturday's evidence, these hot prospects will be looking a little beyond soundtracking low-IQ cretins' heartbreaks.
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