Heavy Lungs | Coal Mob | Mince
The Attic, Leeds
fifteenth October 2025
Andy Brown finds Bristol-based punk’s Heavy Lungs on combating kind. He critiques their gig at The Attic in Leeds for Louder Than Warfare.
This time of yr, I all the time really feel fairly exhausted and am all however prepared to show off my telephone, curl up right into a ball and hibernate till spring. I would like one thing to snap me out of my haze and fortunately for me, Heavy Lungs are out on tour. Tonight, the Bristol-based band arrives at The Attic in Leeds and I depart the security of my couch to take in a few of their excessive power punk. The treatment to the seasonal blues? We’ll simply have to attend and see.
Strolling by means of the door we’re instantly greeted by Leeds-based 5-piece, Mince. Their sound dabbles in scrappy post-punk through grotty storage and scuzzy indie rock. In some methods, it’s the sound of a band nonetheless discovering their toes however having a rattling good time within the course of. With their common drummer on merch duties on account of a damaged wrist and their guitarist battling the flu, the band nonetheless handle to ship a enjoyable and suitably noisy efficiency.
There’s a pleasant distinction between the driving post-punk of songs like Unhappy Previous Jumper and the ragged indie earworms like My Buddy, Allison. Roadworks on the B6369 is brief, pissed-off and partly sung in French whereas All I Ever Needed, Was To Be – with its moderately good bass line – might very properly be the decide of the bunch. As a bonus, the latter finds the singer on the ground, frantically yelling right into a purple phone. I’ll have an interest to listen to what this lot sound like in a yr’s time.
Subsequent up, we’re launched to fellow Leeds-based band Coal Mob. The purple telephone makes a reappearance because the 5-piece dive right into a set of slinky, danceable post-punk. Latest single Reducing Corners reveals a band that is aware of their manner round a propulsive, whip-smart banger. An absolute tune. I don’t know the way it’s managed to cross underneath my radar.
It’s a strong set however the band actually comes alive with their final track, the irrepressibly energetic Bounce. An important, noisy post-punk pop track that finds the singer pacing across the entrance of the stage because the bassist – accompanied by the bassist from Mince – screams alongside. Now, that’s the way you finish a present. Additionally, it is perhaps my creativeness however I swear there’s a bit of sudden nod to Oasis hidden in there too.
Strolling on to the strains of Aerosmith, Heavy Lungs take to the stage like post-punk prize fighters. Drummer George Garratt is wearing Thai boxing shorts and prepared for a sonic scuffle. Revelling in tracks from this yr’s good new LP – Caviar – in addition to some outdated favourites, the band are available in at full-tilt. Garratt screams and barks his manner by means of Cushion The Blow as singer Danny Nedelko dances like a person possessed. “All gasoline, no breaks!” he sings as they put the pedal to the steel. Pricey Lord, the power ranges are completely off the size.
Nedelko is an agent of chaos as he zips and skips across the room. Whether or not he’s within the crowd, stood on the bar behind us or actually climbing up the wall; you may assure that he’s giving it his all. 2 Sizzling 2 Experience finds him jogging on the spot like David Byrne in Cease Making Sense. In truth, the entire band goes hell- for-leather with a sort of rabid glee. Bassist James Minchall is soaked in sweat whereas Garratt – together with his eyes bulging and his tongue protruding – is clearly a person who enjoys his work.
What’s extra, the band have gotten the tunes to match their admirably energetic method. Summary Ideas comes on like a very disgruntled Pissed Denims whereas among the newer tracks tip their hat to bands like Devo and Leeds’ legends Cowtown. Guitarist Oliver Southgate is aware of easy methods to create a heavy and satisfying punk rock racket. Caviar has a refrain that’s drenched in darkish, brutal low-end riffs whereas Life’s A Buffet is sinister and completely primal.
“We all know the place we stand in Leeds,” says Southgate in a uncommon second of calm, “Individuals who hate racists, homophobes, transphobes…” An announcement that feels much more essential with the moderately troubling occasions we’ve discovered ourselves in. For those who’re in a hunch or despairing of the present political panorama, you really want to get your self alongside to see these guys play. I began the evening on a reasonably low ebb, however this sort of power is fairly contagious.
Myself and Mr. Mumby chat with Nedelko on the merch stall after the gig and I’m shocked to find that he’s unwell. Ever the consummate punk rock skilled, the singer was by no means going to offer us any lower than 100%. Actually, he places us all to disgrace. Relaxation assured, punk is in secure arms with Heavy Lungs.
Discover Heavy Lungs on their web site in addition to Fb, Instagram and Bandcamp.
Mince could be discovered on Instagram, Fb and Bandcamp.
Coal Mob are on Instagram, Fb and Bandcamp.
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All images by Jim Mumby | Yow will discover him on Fb and Instagram.
All phrases by Andy Brown. You may go to his writer profile and browse extra of his critiques for Louder Than Warfare HERE.
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