HOT WAX // GEORGIAN THEATRE, STOCKTON-ON-TEES
Hot Wax Deliver Hot Shock in Stockton
★★★★★ (5/5)
HOT WAX PERFORMING AT STOCKTON-ON-TEES GEORGIAN THEATRE
PHOTOCREDIT: JOHN HAYHURST
Stockton doesn’t always get nights like this. But when it does, they hit hard. On April 7th, The Georgian Theatre—a compact, intimate venue that feels more like a town secret than a stage—was lit up by HotWax, the Hastings trio who’ve been burning through the UK scene recently with raw energy and blistering noise.
But first a local(ish) outfit called Jam Tub, whose bass player had his pedals stuck to a skateboard, another 3-piece (every band tonight!) and just the right level of intricate guitar work and wailing chaos. They try and succeed in getting us all to join in with a call and response of “Abiotic” - not an easy task, and then there was some bloodshed as a finger was cut during their performance.
This Durham formed band could be on the brink of something, new track “Hostility or Handshakes” is out later this month and I advise you to give it a listen.
Next, highly anticipated, Isle of Wight band “The Pill” who I have been playing tracks on Spotify for a few weeks now. Apparently starting out as a fake band on social media during Covid, they realised that they needed to make it happen shortly after, which forced one half of the duo Lily Hutchings to learn to play guitar whilst in the band.
I’m desperate to confirm that this isn’t just a novelty act like “Shampoo” or a “Wet Leg” wannabe tribute – also from the Isle of Wight. Starting with their backs to the audience and doing synchronised wiggling isn’t giving me any confidence, but thankfully those rehearsed moves are few and far between.
What we get is music that isn’t formal in its performance or lyrics, they don’t take themselves too seriously either, just a couple of friends from school that bonded over music and decided to create their own brand of overdriven guitar, fuzzy bass with some fun lyrics about either being a blonde bimbo, wearing a mullet, growing up and anything else that makes them laugh. Their T-shirts read “Bimbo Butthole Tits Club” or other such slogans.
Lottie Massey (Bass/Vox) is sporting a nice black eye and is happy to admit it was some drunken escapade, Lily spills her drink in the first song and asks if there is a sugar-daddy willing to buy her another one - it was only water.
“Money Mullet”, “Problem” and “Bale of Hay” are superb live, with plenty of added chaos. The unrelenting drums are provided by 3rd member Rufus Reader. This was so much more than what I was hoping for, and as they are touring with Panic Shack later this year, I’ll have another dose soon.
Formed in 2021, HotWax is fronted by brilliantly named Tallulah Sim-Savage on vocals and guitar, with Lola Sam on bass and Alfie Sayers behind the drum kit. Their sound is a tight, chaotic blend of grunge, punk, and alt-rock—think early Hole filtered through the fuzz of The White Stripes and the grit of IDLES. They've always leaned into the heavy, the loud, the unfiltered. But live? It’s another level.
The sound of Beck’s “Hotwax” is their intro, would love to know if they named themselves after that track but they kicked off with “She’s Got a Problem” a jagged, snarling track that set the tone. The sound hit you like a punch—thick basslines, flailing drums, and Sim-Savage’s howl slicing through it all. “Wanna Be a Doll” followed, with a venomous edge that had the front standing punters joining in. There is a fair amount of chaos with Hotwax and the sound isn’t quite right but we don’t stop for imperfections they just push on through to the other side.
Playing mostly songs from their debut album “Hot Shock” they were not afraid to pick up acoustic guitar and drop the mood for some emotional peaks.
Highlights for me though were the older songs “Treasure” and “Phone Machine” both of which showcased their knack for shifting gears—teetering between eerie calm and full-throttle chaos. There’s no autopilot here; every riff feels like it could go off the rails, but never does. They don’t mind a bit of improv or extended jams, this band could go from punk to full on prog if they wanted to, and yet can still bring it back to a crashing end, it’s invigorating and fresh from such a young outfit.
Sim-Savage and Sam (sounds like a Dickens character) will both stalk the edge of the stage, eyes locked with the crowd and then combine together, smiling, scowling - they are having a blast on this first ever headline tour. The room got still—not silent, but tense, like everyone knew they were watching something real. Not too many phones out, no distractions. Just a voice, guitars shaking but sharp, cutting through the reverb-heavy haze.
The Georgian Theatre’s tight space worked in the band’s favour. No fancy visuals. Just a few lights and concrete walls that made the sound bounce and wrap around you. Every scream, every bass kick, every feedback squeal was right there in your chest.
They closed with “Rip it Out”. Sam was out and about in the front stalls cosy up to anyone prepared to give her eye-contact. The chorus exploded into something close to euphoric, if The Mysterines have imploded then Hot Wax are here to claim the throne of most exciting new female vocal guitar band. This wasn’t just a gig—it was a strong hint of something raw and real.
