Brit-nominated Feeder formed in Newport in 1991. Their original line-up consisted of vocalist and guitarist Grant Nicholas, drummer Jon Lee and bass player Taka Hirose. In 1995 they released their debut EP “Two Colours“ and toured the UK, including a date at The Stage (later named Gonzo’s and Evolution) in Worcester. A show I remember well, having booked the band and promoted the gig myself, after receiving a demo tape (which I still have) and recognising the obvious potential.

Then came their 1997 debut album “Polythene“, which met with critical acclaim and made the UK Top 75. Their second album, “Yesterday Went Too Soon” (1999), again found favour with critics and reached number eight in the UK. The band's cult status was followed by mainstream success in 2001, as they scored a UK Top 10 with the single "Buck Rogers", and the attendant album “Echo Park” (2001), which reached number five in the UK.

Further to the sad loss of Jon Lee in 2002, Feeder continued with then former Skunk Anansie drummer Mark Richardson, releasing “Comfort in Sound” (2002), “Pushing the Senses” (2005) and “Silent Cry” (2008). During this time, they also released two compilation albums and numerous hit singles, including two additional UK Top 10’s.

The recent album release “Renegades” is a return to the edgy and heavier sound of Feeder with tunes reminiscent of the early albums. This is highlighted during the first three numbers of the evening, with “Insomnia” from “Yesterday Went Too Soon”, sandwiched in-between 2010 offerings “Barking Dogs” and “Sentimental”.

It’s no surprise that Feeder’s UK tour is a complete sell-out before they head off across Europe, Africa and Australia. With hordes packed into intimate venues such as wolverhampton’s Wulfrun Hall, it is quite clear that they are as popular as ever. Nicholas thanks the crowd for turning out, saying: “It’s good to be back here for the first time in ten years!”

Proceeding with a setlist that includes every shade of Nicholas’s gifted songwriting: “This Town”, “Feeling A Moment”, “Renegades”, “Pushing The Senses”, “Down To The River”, “Just The Way I’m Feeling”, “Buck Rogers” and “White Lines” continues a faultless show.

New drummer and brummy lad Karl Brazil prematurely starts “Come Back Around”, haulted by Nicholas quipping: “Just because you’re in your hometown, there’s no excuse to get carried away!” The track is eventually played, followed by “Home”, “High” and “Lost & Found”.

Nicholas and Hirose bounce around with endless enthusiasm, with no rockstar egos or arrogance, whilst Brazil is well received, cementing his addition to the band. And before we know it, Feeder are playing their last song of the main set, the high-tempo single “Call Out”.

The encore consists of “Tumble & Fall”, “Seven Days In The Sun”, “Just A Day” and “The End”, completing a quite superb performance from one Wales’s finest bands.

It’s been over fifteen years since I first heard Feeder and booked them to play Worcester. I was raving about them in 1995 and I continue to rave about them in 2010. The only difference is that now, people know who I’m talking about, and quite rightly so.

Review & Photography: Steve Johnston.