First published by Midlands Rocks, 28th May 2012. Photographs reproduced by kind permission of Sean Larkin
A lack of projection is not a charge one could credibly level at Serpentine’s ebullient front-man, Matt Black. Possessed of an earthy Yorkshire charm and a dryly laconic wit, the young singer’s between-songs banter infused every anecdote and wise-crack with a typically self-deprecating working-class bluntness.
That this contrasted sharply but pleasingly with material that could never be so described, was a contributory factor in what, ultimately, turned out to be a very fine performance indeed.
Certainly, the intimidating ghost of the near-legendary Tony Mills was elsewhere tonight and few paid it more than the barest moment’s notice. Black, for all his apparent youth and down-to-earth, jack-the-lad persona, is a consummate pro and gifted with a voice uniquely suited to this exciting collective. This ishis gig now and his command is total.
Serpentine, something of a spear-head for UK melodic rock’s novus ordo seclorum continues to mature and develop and, even at this early stage of the young band’s career, represents one of the UK’s classiest and most impressive outfits. The accolades already garnered for a mere two-album portfolio are quite simply their well-earned due.
In a live setting, though, and like all the best acts, their material comes alive with textures, depths and energies hitherto undiscovered, even on that acclaimed brace, and so it was tonight…[continue reading]