Formed in the rock ‘n’ roll haven of Monmouthshire, Wales, The Bug Club have been making waves in the independent music scene since their first EP ‘Launching Moondream One’ was released last year on Bingo Records. Since then, the trio have amassed quite a following up and down the country, but a free show at The Brudenell Social Club in Leeds last November alongside another set at Brudenell supporting the American band Bodega in March have gained the group particular notoriety in West Yorkshire. Hence, when the group announced a headline show at the legendary Leeds venue Wharf Chambers it, of course, sold out.
After local band Self-Immolation Music played an excellent psychedelic, shoegaze-y support slot, The Bug Club took to the stage, receiving a great reception from a packed-out Wharf Chambers. Playing a range of songs from their first release as well as tracks from the ‘Pure Particles’ album and the brilliant single ‘Intelectuals’, the trio had no difficulty in getting people dancing. Their unique brand of fast-paced, feel-good rock ‘n’ roll clearly resonated with the audience – the fun energy the trio have on stage translates very well into the crowd. A potential reason for why The Bug Club have gained such popularity in a relatively short space of time could be how fun the band are to watch on stage which, along with the crowd interaction between songs, created a really great atmosphere at Wharf.
The group delivered song after song of relentlessly brilliant rock ‘n’ roll music, interspersed with a few of their slower tracks, such as the full version of ‘Intellectuals’ or ‘Jonathan’s Gone’ (previously released as a flexi-disc). The versatility, and seemingly the effortless nature of guitarist/vocalist Sam Willmett’s complex guitar solos, reflect the intense musical skill of The Bug Club – whether that be the endlessly fantastic basslines from Tilly Harris or the salient drum beats from Dan Matthew – the trio seem to be equal to more than the sum of its parts, which is saying something given how skilled each of the members are in their own right.
The fantastic momentum The Bug Club have gained since their inception shows no signs of stopping, with a UK headline tour on the horizon for November/December – including a date at Brudenell Social Club in Leeds on the 15th of November.
