Berries - Open up for Jim Bob (Carter USM) in London

***2/3

Feel at home in London

Berries ***2/3 are a band we have been keeping an eye on recently, with members of our team seeing them live in Bristol before. They are a hard working band, and this has led to them landing support slots with various well known bands like Frank Turner and now Jim Bob of Carter USM fame. They are the perfect band to support these artists, because they also have a nice 90's sound to them. Sounding like Sleeper if they were in a blender with The Runaways, Sleater Kinney, The Kut, Le Tigre, Kenickie and Bitch Alert. But in a way keeping a wholesome attitude at the same time, the singer has a vibe of actress Felicity Jones (Chalet Girl / Star Wars - Rogue One) to her. Yes! Berries seem like a friendly lot of girls, who really enjoy playing live together.

They are so thankful for all their opportunities they have been given, and keep sayinging thanks to Jim Bob for taking them on tour with them. And that it's an honour to play such a wonderful venue, and they are having the time of their lives. But saying this they have some really nice songs, and a great attitude when playing them. Even though I think the members are too far apart at time, and that maybe they should have centred their show to the middle of the stage a little. But this might be because, they are using Jim Bob's band drum kit... so needed to be in the places set up by them.

Berries really take me back to the British Brit-Pop / Brit-Rock scene of the late 90's, even though you can tell they are also inspired by American Riot Girl / Punk / Grunge bands in their way they conduct themselves onstage. Songs like 'We are Machines', show what the band can do best. And that is writing catchy Punk Rock songs, that stick in your head after a fist listen. I will have to say I don't know Berries material that well, Jon Cooper that is on our team is a big fan... so I wanted to check them out. 'World of Noise' and 'Lies' are tracks I have been checking out a little since the show, and I like the fact the band can take a song from a simple melody into an uplift that makes it more in your face. And I think this is how I would explain their the bands performance, it was from subdued intermissions to frantic moments. But at the same time keeping it almost chart friendly, but Alternative.

The only thing I think might hold Berries back is, this has been done before in the 90's by some many great bands. And their sound feels a little dated, what pulls them apart form other bands in this genre. And I have to say nothing, Yes! it's really enjoyable and I liked seeing them live... but they are not reinventing anything new. But they would fit nicely on your CD shelf and in your record collection next to the bands I mentioned above that I think inspired them, and they sound like (And I think this is a really good thing). If you love Riot Girl / Grunge Indie Punk bands then you are going to love this. Because they really do what they are meant to do, and maybe we all need that again.

Review and Photos by Dan Devour

Check Out! the Video for 'We are Machines' Below...