anticipation mounted for The Hara, who are currently ripping a swathe through the country with their ‘We All Wear Black Tour’.
Between the murmurs of the gathering masses and clinking of the hectic bar, there was that unmistakable electrical crackle in the cool air of The Garage. With two support acts on the bill and an early, steady flow through the doors this was sure to be a great night.
"These boys have torque. Once The Hara turned the ignition key to start the throbbing beast, it pulled relentlessly and unmercifully right up to the very last beat".
First off the block this evening was the fresh faced Eddie Jones. A singer, songwriter, musician and all round nice guy, Eddie was sure to win a few teenage hearts along the way, and quite possibly some middle aged ones too! As predicted, the front row of predominantly young girls soon immersed themselves in Eddie’s short but impactful performance.
Don’t be fooled by Eddie’s youth and perceived inexperience. As his t-shirt suggested, just like Al Pacino in that iconic Godfather restaurant scene, he’ll lure you in with his innocence and then shoot you square in the face, with raw talent in this instance.
Pitch perfect Jones’ tone was rich and warm as he showed his versatility through five songs of differing tempi".
The hybrid youth of Islington responded with Droogian enthusiasm to his abundant energy and obvious talent whilst virtuosic guitarist Daniel Porter was ‘all over it’– his fingers slid and glided effortlessly across the strings and frets, showing absolute possession.
From the first standout song, “Roar”, Jones’ lyrics and sound cut straight to the heart:
“What d’you really wanna do with your life…guess I got the whole wide world to prove to”
Eddie, you truly are chasing your dreams… We are looking forward to seeing this power pairing on a bigger stage with a bigger band.
Jason Allan burst onto the stage, unleashing all his vibrant energy onto the eclectic and excitable crowd. His love of performance was evident and his connection with the audience was immediate.
All dressed up to silence the lambs, his role of meaty sandwich spread for The Hara was fulfilled in a matter of minutes as the crowd answered his call for a mosh pit.
With his trade mark broad grin, Jason teetered and teased over the front of the stage before leaping into the press pit and reaching out beyond the barriers to the clamouring fans.
Jason’s voice has an impressive range as he sang his way through six catchy and engaging songs. Jason told us, “After 2 years in lockdown, it’s so nice to back to live performances, to meet people and to connect”. Following a solo London tour earlier this year, this was his biggest show yet.
Josh bowed to the stage before The Hara launched into what was to be, an impressive, professional and polished show to a by now, highly excited crowd.
It was black that was promised and it was black that coloured them, with kohl-rimmed eyes and finger nails to match.
Their self-described “genre-fluid” sound is raw and brutal, instrumentals at times vying with vocals which only added to the sense of excitement, euphoria and almost atomic energy. Skilled guitar playing and brilliant, heart pounding beats pervaded the Garage, providing the fans with an almost hypnotic release of pure energy.
A band best served live? Perhaps. The Hara are more than just noise on a wax platter. They are theatre, they are a show, a troupe of beautiful circus freaks on a rock and roll merry go round that you will want to see time and time again.
Grit, passion, energy and force fuelled their performance"
If the sight of those young ripped bodies covered in tattoos, writhing joyously around the stage and into the audience wasn’t enough, Black Soul Ceremony drove the already screaming fans into further frenzy and Domino is sure to be a Glastonbury crowd pleaser!
Grit, passion, energy and force fuelled their performance. Josh’s powerful Mancunian vocals combined with bold and spirited guitar riffs and dynamic, powerful drum beats drove the crowd into the moshpit.
If this was a band interrupted (by Covid), they were here to prove it hadn’t dampened their drive, passion or musical ideas.
These boys have torque. Once The Hara turned the ignition key to start the throbbing beast, it pulled relentlessly and unmercifully right up to the very last beat. The Hara, as their name suggests, have an infinite ocean of energy, they are a force to be reckoned with, a god damned force of nature. As we walked away, we were left with that rare feeling we had experienced something special, something that is going to explode onto the world very soon in the most fabulous, theatrical way…
THE HARA is: Josh Taylor (vocalist) Zack Breen (guitar) Jack Kennedy (drums)
The Hara played The Garage, Islington – Thursday 7th April 2022.
Support from Eddie Jones and Jason Allan
Words and live photography copyright of 1st 3 Magazine.
Not to be reproduced without permission.