Mongrel at Sheffield Plug
The Oxford English Dictionary states that the definition of the term Mongrel is an animal of mixed breed. Tonight it refers to a coalition of the willing; a supergroup with members from a mixed selection of indie bands. Of particular importance, tonight is also a homecoming for lead-singer Jon McClure from Reverend and The Makers, as well as bassist Andy Nicolson, a former member of Arctic Monkeys. Yet having band members in the same venue simultaneously has evidently caused trouble. Guitarist Drew from Babyshambles is still running late due to a delayed train from London so the band carry on regardless and belatedly begin with some bass heavy funk.
Whilst the charts are chocker with ditties about emotional guff, there is no better day than Valentine’s Day to hear something so palpably thought provoking. Despite the funk, the bravado and the conveyor belt of vocalists, the unique selling point for Mongrel is addressing real issues in their repertoire. With the crowd barely settled down following the half hour delay, their ethical morals are challenged in Better Them Than Us. Thought ID cards went out of fashion with Maggie Thatcher did you? Now they are back on the agenda during the infectiously catchy Barcode. Of course, if you are going to mention controversial subject matter you might as well go for the jugular and unethical wars are given similar disparaging treatment during The Menace.
The lyrical content is all well and good for gaining exposure to such controversies but what matters tonight is the entertainment value, which delivers in comparative measure. Far from ramming the subjects down people’s throats, each effort is delivered with a fresh exuberance flavoured by McClure’s rhythmic rants between songs. Combining the tightness of indie with the flamboyance of hip-hop, theirs is an intriguing blend of not just tastes but cultures. The shift in subject matters is aided by different vocalists too; McClure takes the lead yet MPHO, who also fills in as support act, features heavily with Pariz-1. Despite the homecoming it is Lowkey of Poisonous Poets who becomes the star of the show, particularly rapping his way from A to Z during a live rendition of Alphabet Assassins. Every member reconvenes for a grand finale of Hit From The Morning Sun and as the throng of singers depart, the band end the gig as fervently they began it. More than merely an entertaining diversion from coupledom, Mongrel provide something to consider on the way home too.