Live Review - Beartooth

Beartooth @ Birmingham Institute, 11/12/16 with Trash Boat and Vanna.

In April 2014 the Birmingham Institute welcomed the mostly unknown band, Beartooth, through its doors and onto the stage. Unbeknownst to them and us all, this was the start of a very magical story. Almost three years later, Beartooth are back, and no longer the newcomers. They’ve packed the venue top to bottom on their very own merit, armed with the two spectacular albums they have released they return to slay. 

Along with them on this tour, Beartooth invited UK punksters Trash Boat, and American heavy weights Vanna. Trash Boat are full of youth and vitality, they woke the (already large) crowd up from a mumbling stupor into a bouncing, moshing, crowd surfing frenzy! Truly proving to be a proper support band, in that they warmed the crowd up a real treat, whilst also leaving their name and tunes imprinted on us all.

Vanna are first off, crazy cool looking, there’s something about a band of men as opposed to the lads we’re used to seeing, that really bring with them a force of gravitas. If looking to classify Vanna, one could throw them in with the likes of The Amity Affliction, a serious hardcore rock band, with a melodic and vocal twist. They perhaps even achieve this style with a slight edge more of authenticity, than others, due to their impactful performance. Proving the point that seeing a band can make you more understanding of their music, Vanna are now on the Hush playlist.

“Disgusting”, Beartooth’s first album came out in 2014. Written and recorded single handedly by frontman Caleb Shomo, the record proved to be a therapy of sorts as the young man went through difficulties in his life. The emotion is disconcertingly apparent in this record, and this feeling lingered as the guys hit the stages when originally touring this album. Heartbreakingly poignant, it was obvious why this album and these shows turned Beartooth into the phenomenon that they are now.

Back now with “Aggressive” released 2016, it’s all changed. Hitting the stage with the force of a rhino on a mission, Caleb is the icon all bands dream of having, all kids hope of becoming and all crowds adore watching. No longer is Caleb weighed down with a heavy record and bad memories to relive, he’s a confident man that seems happy on the stage and with the attention. A true talent from the very get go, but Caleb now seems free to enjoy performing. 

Beartooth as a unit are wonderful, each member holding their own and adding to the intricacies that build up the Beartooth sound, the crowd eat them up track after track, Caleb asks for sweat and the audience willingly concede. There’s a true and natural camaraderie between the guys and that is palphable as they play together on this night. All props to every member of the band, but Caleb is everything. He’s the power, he’s the heart, he’s the mouthpiece, he’s the passion. For us Caleb is Beartooth, and Beartooth are everything.