
All the Above along with Iron Maiden and Bullet for My Valentine are the bands that I have seen the most live and the groups unique blend of music is firmly entrenched in 90s grunge. The bands intro on social media describes them as what would happen if Nirvana and Rage Against The Machine had a baby together. I first encountered the band at their first EP launch party back in 2013 when a band I was managing at the time supported them at the event.
Over the years I have supported them with my own band and have grown to know the group well. A staple on the Kent music scene the group comprises new singer Tim Hubbard (having joined in February replacing former vocalist Simon Taylor), James Lant on Bass, Simon Fills on Guitar and Paul Russell on Drums. The band has played support to bands such as Boy Hits Car, Antinowhere League and UK Subs CJ Wildheart. The Tunbridge Wells based quartet are regulars to Local and Live series of events having played on six separate occasions on the main stage, at Tunbridge Wells Forum and now at the Forum Basement at the Sussex Arms.



The Forum Basement is an intimate 50 capacity venue with a great atmosphere and is where my band Inception’s Dawn recorded a live EP many years ago. It is part of the Tunbridge Well Forum team and is an integral part of the Tunbridge Wells music scene.

Fresh off their acoustic session at Hoodstock earlier in the day, the band took to the stage to a near capacity crowd. The band kicked off with Enemies Closer, the bands opening track from their 2013 self-titled EP. My first impression was that Hubbard had stage presence, actively moving and jumping about, no small feat considering the low ceiling height above the stage. The group had clear chemistry despite this being only the third performance since the new line up was formed. The end of the track was met by huge applause from those gathered in the cosy space. Throughout the performance the band weaved between their older material interspersed with the more recently written unreleased music. In between the groups original material there were several skits of more established songs akin to the way Skindred conduct their concerts.



Part way through the set Fills decided to go shirtless and Lant jumped around the confined stage in his customary way which led to some great photos. The Tunbridge Wells stalwarts have a clear following as shown but the sheer number of the crowd that interacted with them before and after the set. You do not develop that level of support without a strong musical ability and the groups writing shone through this performance. There was rapturous applause after each song completed and it was entertaining in the last track where Hubbard disappeared from the stage at the start of the instrumental breakdown before reappearing a minute or so later to conclude the song.


Overall it was a solid performance from All the Above who are still in their infancy with the new line up. The band is currently working on new material and hope to launch it before the end of the year. I look forward with anticipation as will many who are familiar with the bands work.
Setlist: 1. Enemies Closer, 2. Darker Days, 3. 93, 4. Discounted, 5. Light a Wave, 6. Better Days, 7. My Cell, 8. Be Gone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANJZSubXB8s
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