The weather is dreary and cold as I make my way to the Red Room, it’s a venue not often used, but the stuffy warmth it provides is a welcome change from the dampness outside. When you spend your evening smiling and laughing along with a band, you know you’ve spent it in the right company. This is what Swound! gigs are all about.

But before the lads make a heroes return home from a 20 date UK/Europe stint with Electric Six, we are treated to the brilliant and slightly confusing sounds of We Are The Physics and fellow Nottinghamshirians (that’s definitely a word) Some Skeletons.

Some Skeletons take to the stage as the room is still filling up. A late addition to the line up, they provide the perfect opening to tonight’s alternative-indie-rock-new-wave mash up. Guitar led and harmonies to die for, these guys stand out from other bands in the scene, and are definitely ones to watch in the future. One song in particular stood out to me -Kypes. Although Google tells me it’s something to do with fishing, the song itself is much more interesting and beautiful than any carp or trout. Kypes starts out with an uplifting intro, and finishes on a perfect a capella between the 3 guitarists. This section stood out so much I forgot to listen to the next song and a half. A truly breath taking song.

Next up is the bizarre but brilliant We Are The Physics. Hailing from Glasgow, they put on pretty much the best show anyone could ask for. Crazy energetic and utilizing all members in shouts and random noise making, they push the boundaries both vocally and instrumentally (gotta love the Nintendo guitar work.) We Are The Physics dominate their ‘mutant science punk rock’ by using  simple lyrics such as in You Can Do Athletics and the aptly titled Action Action Action Action Action, and surrounding them with the most crazy but uplifting noise possible.

Experiencing these guys live is exactly what you would think it would be when listening to them on record. They are as spazzy and all over the shop as their music is; throwing in a rendition of Milkshake by Kelis is perfectly acceptable, and so is stopping mid way through a song to freshen up.

Last but certainly not least are headliners Swound! Making an entrance, drummer Lloyd leads by walking onto the stage looking like the Parka guy from The Mighty Boosh, followed by the rest of the band, in less coated but more randomly hilarious ways. They kick things off with Your Kids Are Gonna Love It, the opening track from forthcoming album Into The Sea. The thing about Swound! that makes them such a joy to watch live, is not only that they have unbelievably catchy songs, but they are also genuinely funny and charming guys. Making the crowd feel like they are part of something and ‘in on the joke’ is second nature, while banter that isn’t forced, and interactions that only brothers could have, can help put a silver lining on anyone’s day.

Playing a plethora of new songs to whet the apatite’s of the punters, they also throw in old favourites Predator 3 and What’s Your Poison? to keep fans happy. Listening to the songs side by side shows how much Swound! have matured – enough to keep things fresh and interesting, but not as to alienate long term fans.

Through out the set we are treated to some signature Swoundy things; anecdotes of tour, poses for ‘flash photography purposes’, Freddo/Kinder Egg presents and general tom foolery. One thing we were  made aware of though, is that throughout the Electric Six tour they ‘toned it down’. All I can say, is I feel bad for the people who didn’t get to experience the full extent of how awesome Swound! are. Don’t ever change!

They finish just how they start, each leaving the stage until only Lloyd is left, who throws himself around the kit in a last flurry of energy, before front flipping over the drums and casually walking off stage.

Hello Future, THIS Is Swound!