If you missed this, you missed out. Mancunian-adjacent, garage-pop-power-punk quartet PINS graced Cardiff with their presence, bringing some ice-cold swagger on a melting Saturday evening. Amid their stapled monochrome majesty, the quartet, led by the iconic Faith Vern, delivered a stellar set to a criminally thin-on-the-ground turnout.
Kicking off with the stomping Baby Bhangs, from 2015’s Wild Nights album, the blueprint is clear, and PINS remain a well-oiled and cocksure machine. The irresistible Sleater Kinney-tinged pop of Bad Things, keeps things chugging along before the breezy longing of Young Girls, underpinned by drummer Abbi Phillips’ laser-focused anchoring Fall-esque beat. “What will we do when our dreams come true?” laments Vern, resplendent with a jaw-droppingly cool white Vox teardrop guitar.
In an increasingly disparate and individualistic musical landscape, PINS are no myrmidons of melodrama, and offer something tried and tested, but totally fresh and refreshing. Last-gang-in-town vibes, relentless reverb, chops, style and substance – all things sorely lacking across the wider musical board.
Too Little Too Late provides a definite mid-set highlight, revealing a band of individuals, channelling with their superpowers, and a little bit of the Jesus & Mary Chain, focused on delivering an absolute banger. The Hazelwood-Sinatra saunter of Molly brings a sand-dusted throb to proceedings, slowing the pace with Lois McDonald channelling Link Wray and bringing the six-string shivers.
A storming close to the evening sees band and audience become one, as somewhere in the melee, PINS rattle through 2017 single Serve The Rich and oldie/goldie Girls Like Us. Amid the stage invasion and feedback, a triumphant return to Wales: when they come back with some new tunes, come along and join the gang.
PINS, Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, Sat 23 May
words and photos JAMES W ROBERTS
