Introduction: The Cornish Clash of the Titans
The Beat in Bodmin last night was not just a venue; it was a petri dish of punk energy, a crucible where two of the South West’s most compelling acts collided. We at Echo Rebel are already deeply familiar with their released work, but to finally see these two monsters of the local scene in the wild was a pilgrimage Kenny and I were ready to undertake.
We arrived with pencils sharpened and cameras charged, ready to witness a double bill that promised to be an absolutely killer night, the unrelenting punk assault of Unrivalled met the slightly tamer but more musically complex Memories From Tomorrow. After the support band pulled out, we had a late start but the show was well worth the wait. See the video of the night below:
Part I: Unrivalled – The Sweatily Cool Proletariat Heroes
The evening began not with a bang, but with a four-count of simple, unadorned stick clicks from Tyler on drums. That was all the warning we got.
From that moment on, Unrivalled played a set that felt like a runaway train; 100mph with no relenting or slowing down. This band is less a musical ensemble and more a declaration of war, delivered via a sludgy combo of Dan’s Gibson growl on lead and James’ Ibanez precision on rhythm. The sound they carve out goes beyond simple punk; it’s right on the cusp of hardcore, held on track only by the sublime, classic rock and roll lead parts Dan injects, elevating their sound above the genre’s inherent simplicity.
Frontman Mike is a commanding, experienced, and unrelentingly charismatic figure: a born entertainer whose quality moustache deserves its own feature spread. He steered the ship with genuine, unfiltered punk authenticity. Lyrically, this band operates as proletariat heroes, avoiding the lazy “Fuck the system” trope and instead laying out cohesive, valid, and scathing political points with true compassion for the working class.
The rhythm section of Tyler and bassist Callum was a study in reliable force. Tyler proved himself ultra-reliable, providing every inch of the drive needed, even if to my ears, the toms were a touch on the flabby side. However, Callum’s bass tone and bass lines were full-bodied and well-thought-out, a subterranean rumble providing the perfect foundation.
They unveiled two new songs, “Devil’s Dance” and the absolute highlight, “The Beast.” The latter is a real showcase of the band’s talents and definitely one to listen to if you want to know what Unrivalled are all about. Other lyrics contained ruthless, scathing lyrical attacks on posers that are genuinely emotively expressive.
Some people are effortlessly cool; Unrivalled is sweatily cool, which, in the messy world of punk, is infinitely better. They closed the set with “Statues,” a certified Echo Rebel favourite, leaving the crowd an ecstatic, overheated mess.
Part II: Memories From Tomorrow – The Art of The Melodic Powerhouse
Following the whirlwind of Unrivalled was always going to be an ask, but Memories From Tomorrow (MFT) stepped up to the plate with the calm, rehearsed confidence of seasoned pros. The first thing to hit us was the sheer ubiquity of the talent: Dan, the Gibson wizard from Unrivalled, was back on stage, proving he has many strings to his bow as both guitarist and vocalist for MFT.
This band operates on a level of technicality and melodic smarts that is evident. We were treated to moments of great, well-written harmonised guitars, showcasing a phenomenal ear for melody from Dan. The rhythm section was anchored by Sam on drums, a top-quality young drummer whose great cymbal work elevated the entire soundscape, his talent cannot be overstated.
And then there was Jason on bass. The FAT FAT FAT bass tone was glorious, leaving no doubt that the man behind the four strings really knows what he is doing. He was an indispensable cog in the machine, though his aesthetic, standing on stage in a polo shirt like somebody’s uncle, was a whimsical contrast to the solid performance erupting from his fingers.
Vocal-wise, Jay and Dan showed they were experienced in writing together, sharing a great mutual understanding.The set was enthusiastic, with a lot of moving parts that they kept together really well, proving just how well-rehearsed they truly are. Their setlist was a kaleidoscope; every song totally changed feel, which, while maybe jarring for some, kept me deeply entertained. Are they punk? Alt-rock? Who cares? It is good music either way.
The only slight hitch was in the mix, where Jay’s guitar tone was occasionally too bassy, causing Dan’s parts to get a little lost in the noise. However, MFT has a real knack for big, high-energy choruses, and their highlight song, “Straitjacket,” was a masterclass in controlled dynamics, proving they tick all the boxes for an enjoyable night and can certainly keep the pace high.
The Summary: A Night of Excellent Music, Flipped on its Head
When the lights finally came up at The Beat, Kenny and I agreed: we had witnessed two great bands at the very top of their game. The music was high quality across the board. The lyrical content was smart, the playing was dynamite, and the vibes were immaculate.
However, here is the kicker, the curious case of the setlist that defied logic: These bands were the wrong way round.
Unrivalled’s singular ability to wind a crowd up to a boiling point makes them an almost impossible act to follow.Their raw, sweat-drenched, unwashed and unfiltered punk approach leaves the atmosphere super-charged and ready to explode. Memories From Tomorrow, while undeniably fantastic, just didn’t have the aggression to continue that. Not that that is a bad thing, it is just different.
The swap wouldn’t be based on quality, both bands are high-tier. It would be based purely on energy levels. MFT is a genuinely really cool show that we would recommend anybody should see, but it is a little tamer and more contemplative; Unrivalled is pure, unadulterated release. Next time, let the manic, sweatily cool poetry of Unrivalled be the glorious finale it deserves to be.
Still, a fun night was had by all, and The Beat was a clear winner. If you’re looking for the pulse of UK underground rock, look no further than Bodmin, and in particular, these two bands, just be prepared to wear your uncle’s polo shirt, apparently.
