Words and Pictures: Dave Martin / Faversham Photography
All the Above, along with Iron Maiden and Bullet for My Valentine, are among the bands I’ve seen live the most. Their unique blend of music is deeply rooted in ’90s grunge. The band’s social media introduction describes them as “what would happen if Nirvana and Rage Against The Machine had a baby.”
I first encountered All the Above at their EP launch party in 2013, where a band I was managing at the time supported them. Over the years, I’ve supported them with my own band and have come to know the group well. A staple in the Kent music scene, the group now features new singer Tim Hubbard (who joined in February, replacing former vocalist Simon Taylor), alongside James Lant on bass, Simon Fills on guitar, and Paul Russell on drums. All the Above has played alongside bands such as Boy Hits Car, Anti-Nowhere League, UK Subs, and CJ Wildheart. The Tunbridge Wells-based quartet are regulars at the Local and Live series of events, having performed on six separate occasions on the main stage, at Tunbridge Wells Forum, and now at the Forum Basement at the Sussex Arms.
The Forum Basement is an intimate 50-capacity venue with a great atmosphere, where my band, Inception’s Dawn, recorded a live EP many years ago. It is part of the Tunbridge Wells Forum team and an integral part of the local music scene.
Fresh off their acoustic session at Hoodstock earlier in the day, All the Above took to the stage before a near-capacity crowd. They kicked off with “Enemies Closer,” the opening track from their 2013 self-titled EP. My first impression was that Hubbard had strong stage presence, actively moving and jumping around—a feat considering the low ceiling height above the stage. The group had clear chemistry despite this being only their third performance since the new lineup was formed. The end of the track was met with huge applause from the gathered crowd in the cozy space.
Throughout the performance, the band skillfully weaved between their older material and more recently written, unreleased songs. Interspersed with their original material were several snippets of more established songs, similar to how Skindred conducts their concerts. Partway through the set, Fills decided to go shirtless, and Lant jumped around the confined stage in his customary way, leading to some great photos. The Tunbridge Wells stalwarts clearly have a strong following, as shown by the sheer number of crowd members interacting with them before and after the set. Such support is a testament to the band’s musical abilities, which shone through in this performance. Each song was met with rapturous applause, and the last track was particularly entertaining, with Hubbard disappearing from the stage during the instrumental breakdown before reappearing a minute later to conclude the song.
Overall, it was a solid performance from All the Above, who are still in the early stages with their new lineup. The band is currently working on new material and hopes to launch it before the end of the year. I, along with many familiar with the band’s work, look forward to what they’ll deliver next.
https://www.facebook.com/AllTheAboveUK
Setlist: 1. Enemies Closer, 2. Darker Days, 3. 93, 4. Discounted, 5. Light a Wave, 6. Better Days, 7. My Cell, 8. Be Gone
About Author
