Gig Review: The Ruby Tears, Ginnel and Modern Marriage at Leaf Liverpool - 04 March 2022

The laid back and chilled upstairs at Leaf is our destination for a charity gig. Organised by the delightfully namedJelles from the Ruby Tears (perhaps Jeff to his friends?) and all in aid of James Place, the charity based on Catharine Street in Liverpool that provides support for suicidal men (see link below). We have some passionate words spoken in between the bands describing the good works this organisation does for men who have reached a desperate situation and how they provide professional therapy for suicidal men.

Briefly, and in their own words:

Our mission is to stop men dying by suicide.

We believe death by suicide is preventable. Yet, in the UK in 2018, 6,507 people died by suicide of which three-quarters were men. Suicide is still the single leading cause of death of men under 50.

At James’ Place, we want to make sure that help is available for every man facing a suicidal crisis and support them to find hope for the future.

The first band treading boards in aid of this charity are Modern Marriage. They really come out all guns blazing. Their first track is a whirlwind of intricate songwriting, fast paced and complex playing with great drums and bass backing some fabulous guitar playing. They have a pop-punk sound but cleaner than most. Perhaps more similar to the likes of Good Grief than say Hummer on the local scene. The rest of the set keeps a fast paced and often simpler sound going but with flourishes of guitar that keep it all more than interesting and a clear vocal style that allows lyrics to be heard clearly.

Ginnel hail from Preston, they claim they have a lineage that included Evil Blizzard members (amongst some other rather well know bands); though why anyone would doom their band by releasing that information (Evil Blizzard in-joke for all the haters…). It’s a darker and louder and linear sound they have with some wailing vocals joining the drums and bass rhythm section with the more intricate but scorching guitar. It takes me a few songs to adjust after the lightness of touch of Modern Marriage. This is more sledgehammer like and its half way through their set before I start to get onto their The-Fall-meets-Joy-Division-like depth. By the time they roar out with their final song I’m onside and fully sold on this band.

I’d seen The Ruby Tears a few weeks ago but after the rough sound at the venue they played then I really glad to hear them on Leafs superb sound system. Although I’d place the band firmly in the Americana sonically they do cover a wider range and its great to hear all their instruments clearly and catch the interwoven guitars especially. The two guitars play well off each other and there are some inspired lead moments from Jelles/Jeff and great vocals from John. I am though really intrigued that the drums and bass powerhouse of this band are something to mention in their own right, working expertly together and with a level of accomplishment thats a delight to hear. They provide some awesome and precise power or delicacy as the songs require. And it’s songs that this band is about. They cover a wide range of subjects and each one has its own flavour and distinct sound.