Live in the Box with Eastbourne Music Collective

    On a bitter and uninviting December evening, I fell into the warm embrace of the Grove Theatre – Eastbourne’s culture hotspot situated beneath the town’s library. Three bands were lined up to play at a show entitled “Live in the Box.” This would be the latest event from Eastbourne Music Collective; a group of musicians on a mission to revitalise the local live music scene. Founder of EMC and owner of Bad Habit Rehearsal Rooms, Drew Winter was the beating heart of this show, appearing not only as the promoter, but as part of the second act.

    Local soft-rock trio Vegas Nerves kicked off the night, igniting the spark of a fire that was to come. They played a set of fresh original material, made up of well-crafted guitar, bass, and drum tunes. The three boys brought an engaging presence to the stage while gearing the crowd up with audience interaction and fun, boyish humour. So much so that it was hard to believe this was their first gig as a band. A moment was particularly well received as the lead singer burped into the mic with such nonchalance, before opening his mouth to sing heartfelt, passionate words. By the end of their set, the audience burnt with enthusiasm and excitement for the next act. 

    What came after could only be described as curated chaos. The second act ava consisted of singer and pianist Freddie Firth, and drummer Drew Winter. At first sight of the duo, my expectations wavered; it’s not typical to see bands with just drums and keys, let alone with a piano pedalboard on the floor. They truly were a mystery. And, honestly, they stayed that way. Their sound could not be compared to anything heard before – it was a nuclear explosion of all things sonic. Freddie’s distorted piano felt like an irregular heartbeat pulsating throughout the room, making you feel lightheaded yet so present all at once, while Drew’s relenting jazz-fusion beats did not give in to the erraticism. The two became locked in an artistic rhythm and enslaved the crowd with them. At one point, I glanced over the floor to see every single head bobbing along to the music, only to realise that mine was too. Ava create songs that articulate unfamiliar feelings and hearing them live will leave you unsure of what just happened – in the best way possible. It was entrancing; perfect fuel to add to the rising flame. 

    With the fire of the night now fully ablaze, it was time for the main event. Last up was the live debut of an experimental noise-punk project founded by Caine and Maud of Torrid Horror. The five-piece call themselves Street Grease. When they took to the stage a thick, dark pollution interrupted the atmosphere. From their synths came a rising reverberation that felt like a fuse about to blow. And it did just that. The band assaulted the Box with a filthy wall of noise coated in a dense layer of even more noise, performing a line-up of unreleased music extracted from the depths of their minds. The hybrid acoustic and electronic drums satisfied that primal instinct for raw sound, while simultaneously destroying it with disgusting industrial attacks. Scratching guitar tones accompanied bass lines made of concrete. Dirty, roaring electronics cut through the frequencies. Below them, the crowd went feral in a burst of love for this community. It felt as if the venue melted away, leaving Street Grease to rip through the underground heart of Eastbourne – quite literally. Their presence beneath the red stage lights, along with their general appearance and the addictive attack of their sound made this band one of the most unique spectacles. They obliterated the night and bathed in the ruins. It was an honour to watch them do it. 

    After the gig outside the venue, a huge sense of achievement hung in the air that no longer felt bitter or uninviting; three fantastic bands had just made their Eastbourne debuts thanks to Eastbourne Music Collective. Without the hard work of EMC, this bubbling punk scene might never have broken the surface. The live music community in Eastbourne is becoming strong and tight, and it’s certainly one to watch. For now, I cannot wait to see what the future holds for Vegas Nerves, ava, Street Grease, and Eastbourne Music Collective.

Street Grease - Credit: John Hesse
www.johnhesse.com