THE FRONT ROW

‘Wool (noun) – a person from outside the city of Liverpool; specifically those from areas in close proximity such as the Wirral, St Helens, and parts of Lancashire and Cheshire’. That’s a definition taken from one of those unfunny Scouse dictionaries. It’s meant to be derogatory, but Wirral band Wull are reclaiming the word, using the term as a badge of honour, and where better than Birkenhead’s music Mecca Future Yard to make your stand.

There was more than a hint of ‘woolishness’ about the evening’s opening band Thing Wall, a band who appear to have taken their title from the Wirral village of the same name*. There was a decent sized crowd in to watch this trio of seasoned musicians show-off a live set of Garage/Psyche rock tunes played with a punk sensibility. The punk ethos showed through in their songs unglamorous subject matter – songs about working in a meat packing factory, or about being forced to wear Nazi uniforms designed by Hugo Boss.

Sometimes the term ‘Garage-rock’ can be a kind of short-hand for ragged, but there was nothing rough about Thing Wall’s performance, everything was done by design, from the clever use of effects and instruments, to the obvious talent of the musicians. One of the later songs included a rather excellent surf-punk guitar solo. Another pleasing aspect of Thing Wall’s performance was that they, and their fans stuck around for the evening to watch the rest of the bands on the bill in an admirable act of solidarity.

Spreading their geographical net further, but still with one or two Wirral connections were The Lunar Pull. Another group of experienced musicians, the five-piece band were fronted by TV presenter/comedian/one-time Elvis impersonator Alex Riley. The Lunar Pull had a polished, luscious indie/Britpopish sound tinged with a touch of Glam. Their sound was a vague, wafting mixture of Spector, and Ocean Colour Scene, with a touch of Gene. Riley’s vocals were soulful, rakish and loungey, and delivered with a disarming charm. Each song like Camden Lock, Sweet Sharp Shock, and Big Old World came with own’s little back story – ‘This one’s a story of Dickensian romance and squalor in 4/4 time’.

When I first saw Wull, about 10 months ago, supporting The Clause at the now late lamented Jimmy’s, Liverpool I recorded how they took a little time to get into their stride. No such problems here. From opening songs Overrun and Running Out the Wirral quintet were straight out of the traps and flying down the track. The band are Ben Coles (vocals), Ethan Tyler (guitar), John Carter (guitar), Jim Green (bass) and Oscar Hellewell (drums). They have only been together for a year but can already claim as one of their highlights, performing at the Isle of Wight Festival.

What I noticed most about Wull’s performance was the sheer intensity of the band. Each member appeared to be inhabiting their own space and time, focusing only on their role, knowing that if they did their individual best then everything would click into place. And it did. Wonderfully. Wull’s heavy indie rock sound is in a similar vein to band’s like October Drift and Dirty Laces – swirling, layered guitars enlivening a dark, psychedelic backdrop. Singer Ben Coles didn’t lack ability or confidence as he roamed the stage, at one point sitting on the apron, captivating, drawing the crowd closer.

Most of the set comprised of songs from the band’s recent Running Out EP – Chasing The Feeling and Take Me There – with new songs Amber and Pure fitting in nicely with Wull’s canon of work and suggesting there is more to come from the band. An entertaining and enthralling set drew to a close with A Liars Dream, which started with a funky drum beat before melodiously meandering down a psychedelic dark alley, and this triumphant homecoming gig ended with the flamboyant Mackintosh. Watch out for Wull in ’24.

You can catch Wull on their forthcoming This Feeling Tour on the following dates :-

26/1/2024 – Liverpool, EBGBS

8/3/2024 – London, The Macbeth

9/3/2024 – Leeds, Lending Room

15/3/2024 – Manchester, 33 Oldham Street

16/3/2024 – Sheffield, Sidney + Matilda.

*The village of Thingwall as well as being a Viking settlement, was an early stomping ground for Dave Balfe, keyboard player with The Teardrop Explodes, founder of the Zoo and Food record labels, and the man said to be inspiration for Blur’s single Country House.

Ian Dunphy.