Jam Baxter / Thekla / Bristol
Sometimes you go to a gig and experience something new. Tonight I was really looking forward to not one, but two new experiences. For a start it was my first trip to Bristol to the icon Thekla run by DHP Family. A venue in the hold of a former Germany timber transport ship moored in the docks. I really wasn’t sure if this would work, what would the sound be like, would it feel claustrophobic etc.
Secondly I was taking a huge leap outside my musical comfort zone, into the realm of rap. I’ve never been into rap, and it’s something I know absolutely nothing about. It’s something that just hasn’t struck a chord with me and as a result, I’ve never been to a live show and so was really excited to see if performed live, I would be won over.
So I have to be honest up front, this isn’t going to be a thorough review from someone that understands the genre, more a reflection on my experiences. I just woulnd’t know what to say lol.
Jam Baxter is an outlier in the world of UK rap. He began his career as part of foundational hip hop collective Contact Play, before going solo. He has developed his own style and created an almost nightmarish vision of a world consumed by vice and venom. His breakout single, Brains, would come to crystallise this emerging style: about drug use and dissociation, centreing around a shady brain salesman and the degenerates that keep him in business.
Baxter’s third album marked was his first collaborating with producer Chemo, and the album launched a new sonic direction for Jam Baxter, adding heavier industrial beats to develop his bleak world. Jam then spent time travelling round the world finally arriving in Mexico.
As a result, Jam Baxter has collaborated with some big names such as Rag ‘N Bone Man and Kate Tempest. His latest album “Fetch the Poison” sees the Chemo collaboration continue, and features appearances from Jack Danz, Dr Zygote, Wundrop (CMPND), Nah Eeto and Midlands electronic stalwart Lenkemz.
I actually felt somewhat nervous stood in the hold of Thekla, surrounded by a large and eager rap crowd. I guess dressed in my usual metalhead beanie and Behemoth hoodie didn’t help lol.
I have to say, I really enjoyed the experience. I found Jam’s different style really refreshing. For me the show felt heavier, darker and full of anger/energy which I’ve not heard before in my encounters with rap. Supported by DJ Sammy B-Side on the turntables, the music was flawless all night. The crowd were massively into it and as soon as Jam hit the stage the atmosphere became electric, the crowd bouncing as one to the beat.
Rap live is a different experience to anything I’ve had before. You’re so used to the band on stage, the crowd pressing at the front, but with rap, friends and other artists cluster round on the sides of the stage, and often coming on to sing along, or to interact with the crowd and raise the atmosphere even higher. It took some getting used to, to be honest, but was refreshing, and felt somehow really natural. It kind of created a ‘family-like’ atmosphere you don’t get at any other kind of show.
I also thought the audience atmosphere was brilliant too. It may to seem to some people as an intimidating atmosphere at first, based on stereotyping, but in reality it was fantastic and welcoming. For example some of the kids were wildly throwing themselves around, but always stopped, and grabbed your shoulder and apologised for knocking you about. Manic, but friendly !
Overall, this was one of the most enjoyable gigs I’ve been to recently. The venue itself was amazing, so different and quirky but has an incredible atmosphere and the acoustics and great. It’s close in and intimate and was the perfect location for Jam Baxter. But I loved the set too, Jam’s style of rap really suited me and I loved the relationship he had with the crowd.
Discography
Off Piste (2019)
Touching Scenes (2018)
Mansion 38 (2017)
Freshly Skeletal (2015)
…So We Ate Them Whole (2014)
Dead Players (2013)
The Gruesome Features (2012)
Rinse Out Friday / Spack Out Monday (2010)
Support was provided by rapper Stinkin Slumrok. Perhaps a little more old school in style to Jam Baxter, Slumrok delivered an excellent set to warm up the big crown in Thekla. Interacting with the crowd, sharing his chips, beers and laughs, it set up the crowd nicely for the arrival of Jam Baxter.
Discography
Cult of The Damned - 'Part Deux: Brick Pelican Posse Crew Gang Syndicate (2018)
Cult of The Damned - 'Cult of The Damned EP' (2015)
Stinkin Slumrok x Morriarchi - 'Morrstinkin' (2017)
Stinkin Slumrok x Morriarchi - 'Morrstinkin EP' (2016)
Stinkin Slumrok - 'Don Pong' (2015)
Cult of The Damned - 'Cult of The Damned EP' (2015)
