Different skin, same snake. That’s what Frank Carter claims, leading the Rattlesnakes on the Roundhouse’s stage, in London. Closing here their UK tour, the band is boiling. Let’s have a look back.
Dark Rainbow is not even a month old, and it’s already on stage. Frank Carter & The Rattlesnake’s new album is, we’ve noted, calmer. Not by much, it’s true, but when you compare it to its older siblings, there is a noticeable difference. So, what? The band is going to be calm on stage too? Are they going to re-enact their intimate live, those they’ve made for the record’s release? Of course not.
OPENINGS
Before witnessing what’s changing and what isn’t, let’s have a few words about the opening acts. HotWax is first, shy in their attitude, but not in their music. The trio really packs a punch but would gain in their performance by being more confident. Next, The Mysterines, who’ve just announced their sophomore album for this summer. More defiant, and confident, Lia Metcalfe leads the band with mischief in her eye. Their alternative rock is balanced by heavy riffs and light melodies. It’s a solid stage presence. And it’s a band to follow closely.
SEEING THEIR NEW SKIN
And then. In his white suit, the last one walking on stage, Frank Carter reveals what they have for the first Act. Dean Richardson is already at the piano. That act has a name, ‘Cloudy & Pink’, and goes up a crescendo with their new tunes. Can I Take You Home and Brambles walk hand in hand naturally, pushing up the volume slowly on the amps. And Self Love comes up. I was expecting it a lot. If it had a hot energy, it could have been volcanic. It’s not half-done though, and the band is on board with it, occupying the stage as expected. The audience screams and shouts, and that’s just the beginning. With some cool and fluid lights first, the strobes do come up.
Act two, ‘Like Lighting’, starts with the worrisome riffs of Devil Inside Me. That snake will not deny its origins. When the chorus bursts, everything comes together: the audience goes mad, the mosh-pit grows bigger, the green and red lights follow the drums, and the vocals, although clearer than before, are visceral. Carter will do it a lot that night: he lets the public sing in his stead on a few lines, conquering observant of what his music can do.
THE ANNOYED BITE
Trying to keep up the energy on stage, Carter visibly gets annoyed about one thing, though. It’s well-known by those who follow the band’s gigs, but on Wild Flowers, the singer asks men to leave the mosh-pit, making it accessible to women – and women only. That night, he has to stop the song in its intro to argue with some strong-headed blokes who refuse to move out of the way. Eventually winning his case, Carter makes sure that the concerned women feel safe enough before starting the song again. ‘Do you feel safe, is this a safe space for you?’ he asked.
It’s a great opportunity for me to stop and make a small point. Concerts are places where it’s easy to get assaulted or harassed. And that’s been the case since the dawn of humanity. But we can make it all better. Carter & Richardson have understood that. Sure, it’s not perfect, but it’s a great start. So, if the guy on stage asks you to step aside for one unique song, to get a 100% female mosh-pit, gentlemen, please step aside. The whole show will be better for everyone and you’ll witness a legendary mosh-pit. And obviously, don’t ever assault or harass people, ever. End of my point.
For the remaining of act two, which is the longest, some classics are flowing. Kitty Sucker precedes the above-mentioned Wild Flowers, which precedes Tyrant Lizard King. In the middle, an extract from the new record roars: Honey. It’s a ticking time bomb. Already super-efficient in its studio version, the live one gets it to another level. At least that evening, that’s when I understood that changing skin doesn’t change the snake’s nature.
THE SNAKE’S NATURE
Go Get a Tattoo, My Town, and Cupid’s Arrow, all coming from their previous record Sticky, close that second act. The third is named ‘Redemption Arc’. There’s a radical energy shift. Starts Queen of Hearts. Carter’s voice and Richardson’s guitar are replying to one another, complimenting each other. The light gets minimalistic, the atmosphere is a charm. It is, however, not the end of the show. Only a break, a necessary breath for what’s to come. Thunder and Crowbar progressively up the volume and power. And then comes Juggernaut. Raw, powerful, and still as impressive, that’s time for Carter’s classic crowd-surfing. It doesn’t last long and once back they can start Lullaby.
If he talks to his daughter here, he continues with Happier Days, another live banger, and End of Suffering. Anxiety and mental health are still part of the returning themes for the band. Live, it only hits harder. The association of these three tracks is a great point made. Richardson goes back to the piano and closes End of Suffering. It’s a perfect ending, the narration makes sense… yet, something is missing.
DIFFERENT SKIN, SAME SNAKE
Rather than an encore, they chose to name the very last part ‘Epilogue’. It starts with the same softness that ended the third act, Angel Wings. Of course, the band brings back some fire with the ‘don’t-take-it-personally’ I Hate You. It’s the last chance to go wild, on stage and in the audience. Still in his white suit, Carter commands the crowd with a smirk. A couple of thanks, to the band and more, close the track. It’s the end… Well, after Man of the Hour. Because, of course, they could not leave their main track backstage. It’s a strong one, it’s catchy, and it’s on everybody’s lips as we all exit the venue.
If it’s a highly satisfying show, it might not work fully for those looking for the band’s hardcore side. For me, it’s proof of a successful skin-shedding, a logical and life-saving evolution. If it’s the kind of thing that gets us to attend these wide punk masses, then we can only hope for their evolution to continue. He’s right: different skin, same snake.
Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes are now entering their Europe and US tours. They’ll also tour summer festivals. Don’t miss them.
LIVE SHOTS
_____
1 thought on “FRANK CARTER & THE RATTLESNAKES : THE SAME SNAKE”