Fronted by Sean Smith – he of the iconically colossal fringe – and Gavin Butler, The Blackout were Merthyr Tydfil’s most prominent contribution to the south Walian emo explosion. After releasing four albums and touring the world, the band split in 2015 – but reformed last year to play Download Festival (plus two intimate hometown shows).
This month’s tour, their first for nine years, includes a fully booked stop in Cardiff; lucky ticket-holders, Joshua Williams has The Blackout’s five best songs to get you in the mood…
1. I’m A Riot? You’re A Fucking Riot!
From 2006 EP The Blackout! The Blackout! The Blackout!, this song is arguably the blueprint for The Blackout’s subsequent output – Butler and Smith swapping vocals and interplaying with each other while the riffs roar and the drums pound. Unsurprisingly, it’s a massive fan favourite and live highlight – one that’s been played at every show since they reformed, so here’s hoping it stays that way. Otherwise, we might have to predict a… oh. Wrong band.
2. Prepare For A Wound
A tune so colossal, it immediately opens up a pit. Coming from 2007 debut album We Are The Dynamite, Prepare… is post-hardcore perfection, especially when the second half of the song hits at the 2:07 mark: a shout of “some drums son!” precedes some absolute filth which will almost certainly lead to some post-moshpit backache. The song also got aired at the band’s most recent show, at the Scala in Merthyr, so let’s hope it stays in the set. Other bangers from this album include Spread Legs, Not Lies and single The Beijing Cocktail – the entire album is great. However…
3. Shut-The-Fuck-Uppercut
…the boys’ second album The Best In Town is the definitive Blackout album. From this opening track’s thrashy intro, to the concluding We’re Going To Hell… So Bring The Sunblock, this is an album that does not let up: it’s just straight banger after banger. Therefore, it’s only right we include two from the band’s best album. Shut-The-Fuck-Uppercut is a masterclass in instant scenes, with pits opening up across the room whenever it’s been played live. It’s also been played at every show since the band’s reunion – so prepare for a wound, I guess. Oh. Wrong Blackout song.
4. Children Of The Night
Also taken from The Best In Town, Children Of The Night recently inspired the name for a wrestling event in Merthyr. Rightfully so, too: it’s a big ol’ banger with an addictive yet simple chorus of “We are the children of the night… we are the children”. The song’s video intersperses freaky scenes of suburbia with the band playing in a suitably spooky room to really set the scene, before blood drips down walls and spills forth from taps. If nothing else, it’s worth checking out the audacity of the band’s peak late-00s emo aesthetic. And yes, it’s been played since the band reunited.
5. The Storm
The Blackout’s third album, Hope, was released in 2011 and contains the likes of singles Higher & Higher and Never By Your Side, closing with this rock anthem. The album itself came together in what were novel circumstances at the time – the band took to PledgeMusic (remember that?), with fans paying money to fund the recording of the album and in exchange receiving individual and fun experiences with the band. Unfortunately, drummer Snoz, or Gareth Lawrence as he’s more commonly known, injured himself during one of these experiences at Bristol Zoo, leading to drums on the album being played by Phil Jenkins of Kids In Glass Houses. As for The Storm, it’s been played at two of the band’s three comeback shows to date – here’s hoping it makes it onto the tour.
The Blackout, Great Hall, Cardiff University Students Union, Thurs 22 Feb.
Tickets: £25 (sold out). Info: here
words JOSHUA WILLIAMS