Baby Godzilla – ‘Sex for Dinner, Death for Breakfast’

There are bands that I like. There are bands I love. There are Bands that I Fan Boy. Hardcore Punk-Metallers, Baby Godzilla, fit into my Fan Boy section.

If you have had the fortune of bumping into me and starting a conversation with me over the last year, then you may as well stop reading. I have already done them justice.

Baby Godzilla bring a sense of urgency to their medium in all aspects. Whether it be fear of injury from their unpredictably destructive live performances, or the sheer intense speed of their scathingly brutal music; it’s rare you catch a breath.

It’s the little flourishes of the band that make them worth ‘fan-boying’ for me, however. By ‘flourishes’, I mean the sense of eclecticism that they bring to their sound. Whether it be a cheeky off-kilter banjo solo in amongst crushing breakdowns, or a scallywag sea shanty that will stick to you like glue (see ‘Powerboat Disaster’). Baby Godzilla draw from a wide palette in what can be a constricting genre.

This eclecticism has not gone entirely unnoticed by the scene you may well lumber them with, having been signed to Venn records (a label incepted by Gallows) for the last couple of years, and I intend to pedal Venn Records through this platform intensely (watch this space…). Through Venn they have so far released two E.P.’s, Oche and Knockout Machine, and two singles. ‘Don’t Touch that Dial’ and ‘The Great Hardcore Swindle’. All of which are more than worth your wonga.

There is a first LP currently in the works that drummer, Tom Marsh, quoted me as coming out ‘some time Febby/Marchy next year’, which is without a doubt something to look forward to. Anyhow! Lets discuss the last time I saw them at the Bristol Exchange on the Feed the Rhino tour.

I will preface this next bit with a quick apology. Sorry to Feed The Rhino and Night Verses for drifting off after B.G.’s set. Me and my miss’ had to head for the train so I can’t pass comment on their performances. I can however give a head tilt to first band of the night, Koshiro. They still seemed pretty Fresh (heheheh), but their beefy Metalcore showed promise. Soldier on. But on to Baby G.

What strikes me most is just how lovely the guys are pre-show. Coming in to the venue me and my gal pal wandered straight to the merch table to see what they had on offer. Drummer Matt seemed genuinely elated at us being maxed out in BG gear and at our wish to invest in more merch. Like I said, I am a Fan Boy. Briefly chatting to lead singer Matt Reynolds, we reminisced on the last time I saw them play and shared a couple of cheeky nods and winks. And after heading to the kit to sit down, they later gave my girlfriend and I friendly thumbs up. I like those guys. But then there is a switch that flicks. They stop being a couple of amicable young lads and become a force not to be reckoned with.

Kicking off with ‘at The Oche’, they grab the attention of every person in the room, flinging themselves around with complete and utter reckless abandon. Immediately after this one minute and twenty-one second vulgar display of power, with distortion ringing in ears, lead guitarist Johnny Hall flings amplifiers into the crowd, insisting everybody comes forward exclaiming, ‘didn’t you pay for a fucking punk show?!’. These amplifiers become Johnny and Matt’s jungle gym. Throughout their ferocious set they tear around the entire room, jumping, flailing and throwing themselves around in the name of their art.

It’s not for no reason Kerrang claim them to be one of the ’20 most exciting bands on the planet’. The crowd go for it. In amongst the piss, sweat, blood and beer, the devout fans scream the lyrics as if their lives depend on it. ‘Powerboat Disaster’, in particular, being a crowd favourite.

Closing the set with the lengthy Prog Hardcore anthem, ‘Three Legged Race.ist’, the crowd are left stunned to pick up the pieces. This is what Baby Godzilla do best.

So If I haven’t convinced you, seriously, just go have a look for yourselves. It won’t take much to switch you on to them. With a headline tour planned for late November/December, Baby Godzilla are one to watch. I’ll be watching.

Keep track of Baby Godzilla on Facebook and Twitter.

Have a gander at their Youtube Channel for evidence of the wanton destruction and music videos (probably involving such).

Fancy listening to and downloading the Zilla? Head over to their bandcamp and as stated above, their gigs. You won’t regret it, trust me.

#StayFresh