Imagine being the class teacher of four seriously hyperactive kids who chain drink energy drinks and then get their hands on something they shouldn’t have their hands on. And I’m not just talking about their song Wet Dream Fanzine. You only have four kids but you have your hands full. The lead singer, Luke Branch, is Art Garfunkel in a Denver Broncos tee, on amphetamine speed redial. At times demon crazed, pogoing wildly, he deals in multiple exaggerations of face and body. Lead guitarist, Jazz Miell, in mid electric shock treatment,bangs his head so wildly that his lolling tongue keeps falling out and his long blonde locks whip his guitar violently but he kicks some riffs and solos. The quieter uncle of drummer, Henry Tyler, must have been that sedate old chap, Keith Moon. The bassist, Michael Webster, meanwhile, is very civilised, for a while at least, until he too gets in on the addictive hyperactivity act as the show goes on. This is a great, frenetic show, rock n punk n roll to the core. One of the photographers, probably the coolest looking one I’ve ever seen, ends up on stage as the band thrash around and he takes photos in time to the music. Energy, showmanship, performance art. They are all there in abundance There is one poignant moment as they dedicate their song, Missing Persons “to those who can’t be with us today” referring of course to Viola Beach, who were killed in Sweden in February and had been due to play at the festival. I had not heard a single Asylums song before but that didn’t matter because I am listening to them now. This is a band you can see unheard and enjoy the act, with a beaming smile on your rockswept face. Asylums? Yes. They should quite possibly be in one, be it as inmates or to entertain and enliven the residents.

www.asylumsband.com has Soundcloud/ Youtube links to Missing Persons, Joy in a Small Wage, Wet Dream Fanzine, The Death of Television, and I’ve Seen Your Face in a Music Magazine.
Twitter: @Asylumsband