What Now at The Water Rats

What Now – Monto Water Rats – 24 November 2009

Words and photo’s by Brendan Monteiro

what-now-01

Walking around the dingy realms of the Monto Water Rats on a another grey tuesday in London town I realize that although this little venue might not have all the glam of bigger venue’s, it does however have a history of great acts playing on it’s tiny stage. It has all the bare essentials of sound, lights and a bar and for half an hour tonight it belongs to What Now. The crowd might be marginally more friends and family but the atmosphere is feverish still.

The set starts off with This Time Around, my focus is set dead on the stage and a part of my split personality is adamant that everyone must be singing their lungs out behind me. This song is as catchy as the next big flu (I’m betting on hamster flu) and has such a punchy chorus that would be right at home in bigger venues like Brixton. The vocal relationship between Ryan and Tyron is impeccable and Adam is as solid behind the skins as any drummer I have seen, he creates a rock-steady beat that has my feet stomping blisters into my heals throughout the set.

Although copy’s of their debut album lay neatly on the merch stand the set comprises of their latest offering ‘The Sunday EP’, and it’s this new material that really showcases the bands growth and dynamic. The evening comes to a close with Best You Ever Had that just oozes the bands stage charisma, although The Water Rats has been graced with the likes of Skunk Anansie, tonight What Now deserve their picture on these iconic walls.

what-now-02