The Novus bring post-punk fire to Camden Assembly

This young Birmingham four-piece stride on stage with purpose – well, three of them do. Lead singer Connor Hill makes a delayed entrance: more meat on a butcher’s pencil and with hair that says he’s going somewhere. A little bit of eye makeup and more than a little showmanship. The guitarist and bassist had matching haircuts and a style that nodded to 80s skinheads. They mean business.

The sound is heavy post-punk, a little reminiscent of Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs and with political and loving lyrics in a similar vein to Idles. The sound was huge for such a small venue, and an audience that began as a few lone punks soon filled up, a good sign. It was a short but searing set in which they, to use the technical term, tore the place up. Hill has his stagecraft honed and deserves four stars for his sinuous post-Jagger arse-shaking alone. The drummer is a powerhouse, shown especially on stand out track Moonlight with its driving rhythm, seductive guitar riff and chorus of noises. The song broke down and then launched straight into the following track. Drumming is a young man’s game and this guy’s got the energy. New single Frosty got a good reception, as did PMF (Post-Modern Fairytale).

Lyrically, they’re not treading particularly fresh ground (“Hate is a cancer, OD on love”), but they are talented musicians and they’ve got an energy and passion that can’t be faked. Politically challenging times often produce harder-edged and, well, better music and this band demonstrates that. The sound is fully formed and could easily be heard on BBC 6 Music. Ones to watch.

Jessica Wall
Photos: Filippo L’Astorina

For further information and future events visit The Novus’s website here.

Watch the video for Frosty here: