Wake up, its Room Service
Brighton band rocks Moulsecoomb campus- Lydia Coggins reports
Fresh off the stage from a Shoreditch gig the night before at the Breaking Sound Festival, Room Service rocks up at Buzz Radio to play a special set for us here at Brighton University.
A maze of cables snaked across every inch of the floor of Studio 501 to accommodate the bands’ 6-piece line-up. A last-minute venue-change dictated spontaneity as the theme of the day. This didn’ t faze Room Service much, despite only playing live together at the end of May this year.
Devin the Texan on drums reassures everybody in the room with a sure smile“ not to worry about a thing.”
Helena Marchant is the frontwoman that unifies the band and is rocking a surrealist slogan t-shirt, a pair of doc martins, fishnets, and a plectrum necklace around her neck. The others are in a relaxed assortment of 70’ s paisley patterns, cool corduroy and thrown-on denim that makes them look pretty happening in a‘ whatever goes’ kind of way.
She introduces the band to explain their short backstory; the‘ three frenchies’ met accidentally in France and meeting their drummer randomly on a hot day at Brighton beach.
A mix of Portuguese, American and French band members adds an extra ingredient to the diverse group.
Thomas the guitarist casually admits this is a first for them recording a‘ live lounge session.’ Devin, known for ripping off his shirt mid-song confesses his drumming career started a tad unconventionally.“ They told me they were looking for a drummer and I lied … I was so full of shit! I did not know how to play drums! I told them, yeah, I’ m the best drummer in Brighton. He says grinning: They believed me, I didn’ t even own a drum set. I played on pans for the first few months.”
Once everyone was ready, the sound levels adjusted and mics arranged, we held our breaths and pressed record. What could go wrong? There was zero need to panic however as Room Service were better than what we had ordered.
Flying straight into their first track‘ Wasteland,’ with the enthusiasm of WWE wrestlers drinking rocket fuel for breakfast. A satisfying crunch and kick of a relentless drum groove locks you in and refuses to let go. The combination of guitars, keys and a deftly played bass forms the funk infused bones of the first track, the intro peaked towards a building high before releasing you into a gratifying melodic verse.
Helena Marchant’ s tantalizing lead vocals is beautifully light served atop a slick and catchy guitar melody peppered with offbeat drum fills and shouty vocal disruptions by Devin at the chorus.
The lyrics to Wasteland are tinged with that all so familiar existential dread that is so relatable. A great song delivered with a helping of irony you can’ t help but feel satisfied with.
Photo Credit: Lydia Coggins