The Drums contrasting influences in UK tour dates
The Drums sound like suicide thoughts in a sunbathed beach. Instead of clashing, however, these contrasting feelings somehow complement each other, at once easing the drama and adding some deepness and melancholy to the feel good beats. If post-punk and surf music are a weird combination, it’s even more awkward to see an Americanized version of eighties British music, but the result is an interesting and rich mix of influences and backgrounds. It’s like a band bringing together Ian Curtis and Bez, only less absurd. On stage, the conflicting identity layers persist; instead of the hipsters traditional glooming faces and blasé attitude, they present the audience with energetic performances and flirting greetings.
As it happens, The Drums constant exposure led to criticism, mostly for their lack of originality. But the band’s eponymous debut album justifies the incendiary buzz surrounding the group, exhibiting a well-curated blend of influences as a strength and mixing proudly bits from their favorite bands with their particular tastes and sounds. No one does borrowing like the music industry, and the Brooklyn-based Floridians are the first to admit their influences. Trends repeat themselves constantly so it’s really no surprise that it’s all about 1980 once again.
The Drums UK tour dates: London HMV Forum (Nov 24, 25), Bristol (Nov 26), Birmingham (Nov 27), Glasgow (Nov 29), Belfast (Nov 30), Newcastle Upon Tyne (Dec 03), Leeds (Dec 4), Nottingham (Dec 05), Manchester (Dec 06).