Gig Reviews: Pitchshifter (Supported by Elviss) The Agincourt Rock Venue, Camberley (14 March 2003)

by Gordon Tebbutt

The Agincourt in Camberley has been hosting some bigger and bigger events recently, culminating with this visit of Pitchshifter and Elviss. The crowd gathered early to see the farewell tour from the Pitchshifter crew, and for most they're first glimpse of Elviss.

Elviss took to the stage with lead singer and guitarist Karl Sunderland sporting a distinctive camouflage cap, which remained stuck to his head for the rest of the night. Drummer Geoff pounded a heavy beat, while the rest of the band screamed with both voice and guitar as they seemed to pick up the crowd and hurl them about.

I thoroughly enjoyed the performance and must admit to a little involvement in the swirling crowd!

They announced their new single "Radio" which I would recommend to any metal/hardcore fans out there (and is apparently in the top 20 of the Kerrang! TV Charts!).

I thoroughly enjoyed both the performance and the material that Elviss had to offer, and can't wait to hear them play again. Elviss were my highlight for the night.

Going since 1990, Pitchshifter have their roots in Nottingham, and are renound for theyre boundary breaking music. With their own brand of cross-over punk, drum‘n’bass, hip hop, electronica and metal it was sad to see the band announcing their last tour, before they break up, but fantastic to see them one last time!

Pitchshifter came onstage to an enormous roar from the crowd, for their heroes who are on their way towards early retirement.

They kick off with Triad, a crowd favourite it seems. Singer J.S. Clayden screams and jumps his way around the stage, doing his trademark windmill type leap, to the great amusement of the crowd.

Clayden consistently taunts the crowd all night with a cocky 'Ive done this a million times before' performance, launching into classic Pitchshifter songs 'Microwaved', 'Virus', 'Please Sir', 'Genius' and many more. Pitchshifter seemed to be glad to be infront of the crowd, although the performance could have been better.

The crowd could not have responded better, and were always jumping and being thrown about by one another. Always a favourite with crowds, once or twice circle pits opened up much to the amusement of Clayden and the rest of the band!

All in all it was a good performance from Pitchshifter, and it felt like an honour to be attending their closing tour. Singer Clayden grinned his confident grin and pouted infront of the crowd, Pitchshifter put out a worthwhile performance that I'm sure sent many a fan home happy. All that said, it seemed like the performance was formulated and just another day at the office. This was a shame and lead me to the conclusion that it was a tired band, that were just honouring the fans with a final tour, and not something that they desperately wanted to do.