It’s mid-day on a drizzly Easter Sunday in Nottingham, but there’s a buzz around Talbot Street, excitement is growing, it’s HIT THE DECK.
The first part of the festival seems to be dedicated to local Nottingham/ Derby bands showcasing their musical talent, and giving artists the chance to play alongside and rub shoulders with more established acts. Well done DHP!
First up on the main stage at Rock City, with the privilege of opening the day are Nottingham band ADELPHIA.
Adelphia
The crowd are gathering and Adelphia open with a “bang” playing their debut single “Do Your Worst”, the crowd are immediately drawn in by frontsman Nick Clampton, how he is pulling this of with a severe sore throat, shows the band’s professionalism
The set continues with tracks from the bands current EP “Fingers Burnt and Lessons Learnt”, including the latest release, the powerful, moody “Lost At Sea”.
These guys can perform, the crowd are singing along, the room is full, girl’s are screaming.
ADELPHIA do not disappoint an awesome start to the day.
I didn’t want the set to end. In my opinion these guys are going places, a Nottingham band with huge potential.
A quick shoot around the corner to Stealth to catch another East Midland’s band, this time hailing from Derby, A WORLD DEFINED
The capacity crowd in the smoky room watched quietly, the atmosphere laid back, the band played their hearts out with tunes from their new EP “In Absence”. Post=hardcore heaven. The crowd roars with applause.
A World Defined
Another great opening.
Off to The Forum, a venue I have never been to, but down in the depths opening here are Nottingham’s LACEY.
The start is delayed by a technical sound problem, the band are getting frustrated and fortunately the cheerful, friendly crowd don’t seem perturbed and boosted the bands confidence
LACEY open playing rock/pop akin to McFly, the crowd, who seem to be mid-twenties, begin to chill and enjoy the catchy riffs. A fun set. The crowd leave impressed.
The next local opening band I manage to see are EVA PLAYS DEAD hailing from Derby. The basement room at Rock City is full of eager excited fans; these guys have a great local support.
The show starts with explosive guitar from Matt backed by the power house of Zac on bass and Seb on drums. Tiggy bounces onto stage and lets rip with her vocals. The girl sure can sing!
Eva Plays Dead
The crowd “love it” leaving the Basement physically exhausted. 30 minutes of pure rock.
The wealth of East Midland’s talent is apparent.
Throughout the day I had been told to go and see BABY GODZILLA and had been pre-warned it was an electrifying experience.
So off to Stealth again to find out what this legendary Nottingham band can showcase.
I must say, I did stand behind a pillar, as the venue was rammed.
BABY GODZILLA did not disappoint all I can say it was crazy, mad, and I was just a bit worried about Geri the photographer’s life at one point.
Baby Godzilla
The band jumped from flight case towers, hung from heating ducts, crowd surfed to the extreme, the crowd screamed the lyrics back. How do you play guitar whilst hanging upside down by your feet from the ceiling, well I now know it is possible.
An electrifying musical experience all round. And as far as I saw only one bloodied fan
And yes I would go and see BABY GODZILLA again, probably wearing a crash helmet!!
That was the best of the local scene and then there was the rest of the day:
THE XCERTS Rock City main stage
I had been advised to catch this 3 piece young UK band of Scottish and Exeter origin and they didn’t disappoint. They play songs with a vibrant “UmBop” American rock feel, guitar riffs reminiscent of Kings of Leon. A chilled out set well received by the crowd.
DEATH REMAINS at Stealth
Again the room is full and the band showcase their powerhouse of brutal, metal.
Death Remains provide the hardcore metal fan with an onslaught of punchy riffs, melodic tones and great clean vocals. Circle pits and a wall of death what more could you want!
Back again to Rock City main stage to catch the end of Aussie band HANDS LIKE HOUSES set.
The near capacity crowd were singing along and having a ball listening to the six piece experimental rock band’s mix of guitar and electronic wizardry.
After watching mainly heavy & loud band sets, I thought a bit of calm was in order so next stop was to see BATTLELINES at the Rescue Rooms
And yes the atmosphere was relaxed, grown-up and actually tranquil.
The band playing laidback blues riffs and the vocals ethereal. The audience were mesmerized, a good call.
It was half way through the day and time to catch a few more bands.
At The Forum – VERSES, just catching the last 5 minutes of the Brighton bands set, what I heard I liked and so did the crowd. Uplifting rock!
Staying on at The Forum for RAT ATTACK – a rock/ syth band with a new vocalist of 2 weeks, well the lights were nice!
Next up was HAWTHORN HEIGHTS playing the Rock city Main stage
An established American rock band with a typical “geeky” looking singer. The band played a mixture of upbeat rock with clean and screaming vocals. The crowd jumped and sang with enthusiasm. Everyone had a great time.
Keeping with bands from the U.S.A. next up on the main stage were THE SUMMER SET. A fun loving band with a cool summer surfing vibe. Again everyone sang along to the pop rock tunes.
The buzz throughout the day was growing, by early evening festival goers were chilling out enjoying company of old friends and new and reflecting on bands seen and those yet to be seen.
We took time out to meet and chat with members of ADELPHIA – vocalist Nick Crampton, bassist Jay Sanderson and drummer Rik Gilbert in the comfort of The Black Cherry Lounge.
The band informed us that due to vocalist Nick’s throat infection they nearly pulled out of Hit The Deck that morning, but decided not to miss the opportunity to play the main stage.
The band have also recently signed to Dominos PR who will help with their band profile, arranging interviews, reviews, radio and media coverage all of which will be a big help to an up and coming band.
Nick was upbeat and excited about new recordings and the release of a new singles and videos in the Summer.
Meanwhile Rik told us the bands main aim was to play outside the Nottingham area and hopefully get a major tour support slot by the end of the year. “We need to open doors and experiment with stage presence!”
A talented band and such unassuming guys and we wish them every success this year
So now for the headline acts we caught live
KIDS IN GLASS HOUSES at The Forum
You could actually just get down the stairs and see the band The Forum was rammed to capacity and the crowd were going wild, one of the Welsh bands last festivals together, before they bow out at the end of their October tour, proved to be a winner. Happy faces everywhere, although some emotions ran high!
Kids In Glass Houses were triumphant.
THE BLACKOUT – the basement Rock City
The basement was near capacity as the post-hardcore rockers from Merthyr Tydfil Wales roared onto the stage. Sean crowd surfing around the room, running along the bar and being held aloft with Gavin by admiring fans. The anthem Children of the Night being sung by the whole crowd was a Hit The Deck highlight.
An awesome set, The Blackout “killed it”
And then there was BRAND NEW to finish the day
The main hall was heaving the alternative rock band from New York playing an amalgamy of music influenced by classic rock and contempory bands.
Two hooded guitarists playing bluesy riffs and then screeching strat.
The crowd are enthralled and singing along to “A Storm is Coming”
And that was HIT THE DECK 2014
“Hats off “to DHP for their organisation and running of probably the UK’S best indoor festival.
Review by Sara Cotton, pictures by Geri Patterson
