Soul Asylum - A great night of smiles!

****1/2 

Soul Asylum performs a solid, fun show of classic tracks!

Soul Asylum ****1/2 are a band that, when you think of 90's Alternative Rock / Grunge, comes straight to mind. For me, I was more interested in them than Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden or Sugar, they had more of an American Rock vibe to them, and their songwriting is second to none. This is just personal preference, rather than one band being better than the other. But always confused why Soul Asylum were never as big as the bands I have mentioned before. I have to say I don't think the Tufnell Park, Dome in London is the perfect venue for the band.

The tickets Sold Out! a lot faster in Camden, where a lot more similar bands play. The Dome is known for hosting a lot of really heavy Death Metal and Black Metal bands, so I think either some people didn't see it fast, or the Dome is a harder venue to get to. I know I normally have to leave straight after the band has finished, to make sure I get my last train home. Saying all this, it's great there are no barrier restrictions for tonight's show. Yes! You can get right up to the stage, and this gives the audience a real personal experience with the band. Also, the lighting is really good, which enhances the onlookers' show experience. 

Opening with the brilliant 'Somebody to Shove', they get things off in the right way. With jumps from guitarist Ryan Smith. He has brought a new energy to the band since his appointment in 2016, which is actually ten years ago. He is always smiling and puts everything into his performance; he is so active onstage. And his movements don't harm his guitar playing at all. So you know this band is really not 'Made to be Broken', even though they put so much emotion into each song. This band is so alive and enjoying every show they do. This is shown by Dave Pirner's jokes onstage, which are funny but a little silly and like something your dad would tell you. I won't tell you this time what the jokes are, because I don't want to ruin it for you... When Dave tells you them live on stage.

'Misery' is so good tonight, it has so much depth. And you can especially see why people relate to it in the modern day, with what is going on in the World. 'Freeloader' gives you a taste of the band's new material, coming off their last album 'Slowly but Shirley' that came out a couple of years ago. And they first performed in the UK at their London, Dingwalls show. For me, this record is really good, but it needed more of the band's traditional sound in it. It sounds very Bluesy in places, and Dave's vocals sound a bit different. But have to say I like that they are trying something different, and evolving musically. I like a band that are not scared of trying something different, and going out of their comfort zone. 

One of my favourite tracks in the band's set is 'Without a Trace', every time I hear this. I realise why I love Soul Asylum, this really shows off what they do and embraces their signature sound. This song is so great, and it made me really happy when I heard it. Because I remember when I first heard it on the American Chart Show when I was a kid. I waited up all night to hear the latest releases from America, and Soul Asylum, Extreme, Colour Me Badd and Boys II Men were always on the show. They add in 'Closer to the Stars' for a fan who asked for it at their Manchester show, and the band went out of their way to make sure they knew how to play it properly live. Knowing that the fan was coming to the London show, this shows real love for their fans. 

They play great versions of 'High Road' and 'Sucker Maker', not to mention a dynamic version of 'Freak Accident'. All of which is really solid, and shows there really isn't a low moment in the band's performance. Because just after these, you get the mega hits 'Runaway Train' and 'Black Gold', which have great intros to them. 'Just like Anyone', which is my favourite song by the band, could have been a little more frantic. I love it when Dave really goes crazy on this one, but it's still really good and a nice end to the main set. There are two song encore brings the whole evening to a close, with a really nasty and dark version of 'April Fool' as the final song. Everyone is left wanting more, even though the set is quite long. It went by in the blink of an eye, and that shows how much everyone in attendance enjoyed it.

Review and Photos by Dan Devour

Soul Asylum - Setlist
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Somebody to Shove
The Only thing I'm Missing
Made to be Broken
Misery
Trial by Fire
Little too Clean
Freeloader
Never really Been
Without a Trace
New World
Closer to the Stars
High Road
Sucker Maker
Freak Accident
Black Gold
Runaway Train
Sometime to Return
Bitter Sweetheart
Just like Anyone
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String of Pearls
April Fool

Check Out! the Video for 'Somebody to Shove' Below...