A brief intro for those new to this band, and I’d be surprised if there are many who don’t know them. Marc and Becki from the Wirral, started as The Webb back in 2012. I have known both for a little over 20 years, never knowing that Becki had a singing talent. Marc of course has a long-standing background in music, latterly on drums with MDM (Mere Dead Men), a punk band from Wirral.
So, 2012 comes along, Marc and Becki decide to form The Webb, name coming from a hero and major influence on them both, in Gary Numan, real surname Webb. As both were huge fans of electro 80’s synth music, it seemed only apt that that this style would suit, and off they went down that road. Combining the above with a splash of goth and of course punk roots, they have become what they are. From a homemade studio, building up the instruments and eventually supporting bands, Marc and Becki have become regular faces on the punk scene far and wide. Supporting such amazing artists as Lene Lovich and Crazyheads.
Fun has always been a main part of The Webb, crowd interaction whereby spooky gifts are handed out during the set, Becki running into the crowd with a fake knife, and friends dressing as clowns and other scary costumes. Anyone who has been to see these will always remember it as being a good fun filled time, with music hailing from decades back. Original songs written by Marc, and of course some classic tunes, Dead Cities by The Exploited being one, shouldn’t work, but certainly does.
When I first heard Becki sing, I was gobsmacked, I had no idea she had this talent, great vocal range and spot on stage presence. I, and I’m sure many other punters will say that she has the look of Siouxsie. Great stage outfits and energy. Marc on keyboards, the maestro of the band, conducting the repertoire immaculately, gothed out punk makeup, smashing the ivories. In all, a duo that combines a multitude of genres with fun, sommat we could do more of in these uncertain times.
And on we go to The Webb’s new EP, available to download from Bandcamp. Entitled “Haunted House”, we are given 4 tracks…………
Haunted House kicks off straight away with speed synth noises, electronic drums complimenting nicely. This is fast, Devoesque and with Becki’s vocals comes together nicely. Clever use of nursery rhyme words tells us of being stuck in the haunted house, unable to escape, with the reality that you will die together to the sound of a crying child. Some might say this is a love song, being with your soulmate to the end, not abandoning, but being as one to the end. Make ya own mind up.
Tonight…………. tuning into an old radio, picking up the stations from afar, a song of hope and realisation that we are living at a pace that cannot be sustained. Opening with words from a Greta Thunberg, reminding us of the vulgar wealth of many. Our futures in the hands of the rich and powerful, who have nothing to fear, and fear nothing as it does not affect them. Knowing when to take a break and just stop and think. Slow down people but still live your life. Loving the Becki echo during this track, a slower rhythm which is in keeping with the ethos of the tune. Restart, reset, relive.
Real World. ………………… following on from “Tonight”, a need to isolate, to remove yourself from the rat race. Stopping and seeing things for they are, daily events that we take for granted and suddenly realising that we don’t have to put up with this shit, time to make ya voice heard and just say enough is enough. Opening of the song is vaguely reminiscent of Bauhaus, intricate guitar and drum work working seamlessly with the keyboards. Varying degrees of rhythmic speed keeps this short and sweet track together. A real foot tapper.
Shock……. with a constant singular drum beat, we are presented with Pinhead reminding us he is the face of pain, as can any person be in the right circumstances. Becki’s change of key throughout matches perfectly the synth composition, with Marc using the keyboard to reply, cleverly done, a simplistic message that when all this bullshit of life stops and people start to listen and see what we are doing, Becki will be there to open your eyes. Brilliantly messy use of synth sounds invading the aforementioned steady drum beat.
This is a clever 4 track EP from The Webb, without being over bearing, and preaching, Marc and Becki put across the state of life at the moment, the use of the words “haunted house”, fit perfectly with the world today. Haunted by our actions as a race to the planet we live on and are slowly destroying, not just materially, but mentally and socially. Well worth a listen, a foot tapping group of tunes taking you back to the late 70’s early 80’s time of artificial electronic sounds, combined respectfully with Goth and punk. Enjoy.
Words: Johnny, Photos: Adrian Wharton and RBY
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWebb.band
Bandcamp: https://thewebb1.bandcamp.com/
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