THERE are gigs, and then there are gigs. Occasionally, a live show comes along that's more than just a good night out, it actually kind of restores your faith in/love of music: Belfast queerpunk riot grrrls Problem Patterns at The Black Box two weeks ago was definitely one such occasion.
Upgraded from the more compact and bijou east Belfast venue The 343 at the last minute due to legitimate 'overwhelming demand', the school hall vibes of The Black Box's main room chimed with the Probs' chosen theme for this EP launch show: 'alternative prom'.
The stage was beautifully dressed for the occasion with a glittery ribbon backdrop, metallic balloons spelling out the dreaded word 'PROM' along the front of the stage and balloons also scattered around the floor for the audience to play keepy-uppies with.
All the bands on the bill – Neptune M, Gender Chores and Hand Models – even got dressed up for the occasion in their finest suits/gowns.
However, in the end, Problem Patterns unleashed such an incendiary set upon the assembled devotees and curious onlookers that it was almost a shame the show didn't go ahead in the smaller space after all, where the reverberating shockwaves of the quartet's super-catchy feminist ire fuelled punk rock explosion would have surely driven the audience into even more of a unified, joyous frenzy.
As it was, the quartet immediately prompted plenty of movement 'down the front' by opening their set with a riotous cover of Territory by their sister act Gender Chores – Probs singer/guitarist/bassist/birthday grrrl Alanah (AKA Alanarama) jokingly introduces the band as Gender Chores and the two groups further underline their close allegiance by combining onstage as supergroup Gender Problems later in the set.
Problem Patterns positively radiate a confidence of conviction which belies the fact that they've only been an active live act since November 2018: singer/bassist/guitarist Ciara is fully committed to grabbing and holding the crowd's attention while throwing serious shapes and at one point Alanah gets right out into the assembled throng for a rippingly good rendition of Beastie Boys staple Sabotage.
A lot of bands seem to have an irritatingly apologetic streak to them these days, but Problem Patterns show the way towards a more satisfying live music experience by emanating assuredness without ever veering over the precipice of 'cocky' for the duration of their short but savage set, the sly/wry wit evident in the lyrics, between-songs patter and overall presentation (such as when the band dance their way onto the stage to the pumping gay disco strains of the Village People classic, Macho Man) further sweetening their deal.
Coupled to the instant accessibility of their music, Problem Patterns' 'confrontational' style actually helps to put their audience at ease and feel part of proceedings: it's clear from the get-go that the PP gals 'have got this' and the fact that Alanah, Ciara, Bethany (drums/vocals) and Beverley (guitar/vocals) are also clearly Having A Blast while belting out genius rackets like heartfelt anti-maternity grunge/hardcore ditty Sell By Date, thrilling stream-of-conciousness ranthem Day And Age with its screamalong chorus "KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF MY SISTER / IF YOU'D BE SO KIND MISTER" and subversively cutesy punkpop duet Gal Pals ("Leaving your husband for a woman/ getting a mortgage and tying the knot/ getting an allotment together/ growing some veg/ then adopting a child") just adds to their undeniable appeal.
While the environment for this EP launch show might have been very much a 'safe space' for the band packed with friends, peers and other sympathetic ears – openers Hand Models set the tone early in the evening with Last Leaves on A Tree, their existential alt-rock ode to backward NI politics which prompts an enthusiastic mass gulder-along to its inflammatory chorus refrain "F*** THE DUP" – I was left in little doubt that PP could take their show to 'cold' crowds pretty much anywhere and make a damn good fist of leaving jaws on the floor.
In this regard, having recently seen riot grrrl legends Bikini Kill live for the first and probably last time, the not musically dissimilar Problem Patterns really reminded me of Tobi, Kathleen and co's take-no-prisoners attitude to their craft – only maybe with even better songs.
Yes, I 'said' it: hit up Problempatterns.bandcamp.com and check out the deliciously titled Good For You, Aren't You Great? EP, which features all of the aforementioned tunes plus rumbling Babes In Toyland-esque groover Mediocre Man, and indeed the pounding post-punk dirge of their previously released misogynist muso take-down Allegedly ("Always believe survivors/ as the figure rises, there are no more surprises"), then tell me I'm wrong.
More bands/shows/music like this, please.
On the subject of inspirational Irish rock acts, be advised that fast-rising Dublin stars The Murder Capital will be doing a special live performance outside Belfast's best new record emporium, Strange Victory, on the evening of Sunday August 18 – but you'll have to pre-order their hugely anticipated debut LP When I Have Fears from the shop to guarantee entry.
From my repeated listens to the advance promo of the album, I can confidently predict that anyone who has enjoyed their output to date, such as the fantastic single Feeling Fades, will also love the full length too – so go ahead and pull the trigger by calling in to see Darren and co at 22 Berry Street at your earliest convenience.
Indeed, the Strange Victory folks are also throwing a street party on the afternoon of Saturday August 10 with music, food, films, games, face painting beer and other attractions, so if you've not yet visited then that's your perfect excuse.
Last but not least for this week, don't forget that next week will see the resurrection of Belfast punk rock 'n' roll institution The Dangerfields: Griswold and co – on this occasion, that means DFs veteran/survivor Adam 'The Beast' Sims on guitar and new recruit/hostage Eoghan 'No Relation' Johnson on bass – will make their first live appearance in five years when the formerly touring-obsessed trio join The Bonnevilles and Deathgrip as support for legendary lunatic US rockers The Dwarves at Voodoo on Wednesday August 7.
Tickets are £17.50 via Wegottickets.com/event/466671, doors are at 8.30pm and trousers are, as ever, optional.
