The Joiners is a pub venue perhaps holding 150 or so and well known on the up-and-coming circuit. The walls are papered with old posters reminding the hopeful that bands such as Travis, Coldplay, Oasis etcetera all graced this tiny stage on the way up. Last week was the turn of Brighton 4-piece The Upper Room. Dismissable support acts held the main event back until 10pm. One hilarious and noteworthy incident was the discovery among the small crowd of a cased and highly unusual yellow Fender Strat earlier declared stolen. Hmmm, perplexing.
On a cursory observation of The Upper Room you may dismiss them as bland but listen harder, listen much harder. Lyrically this is rather deep stuff, cloaked in the easy sounds of pure pop rock. Melody is here in abundance prooving that a good song will always stand out.
Surely Alex Miller should be revising for his GCSE exams! What a shining example of how youth can be today and I mean that with no trace of irony. Bright, vibrant and loud, yet respectful, articulate and charming. Despite a loss of all stage lights the band played on with dignity to rapturous applause.
Listen here
Come back soon boys...
