My Vitriol celebrates Finelines at London’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire
Twenty-five years ago, a sound emerged that felt both raw and utterly perfect: My Vitriol’s debut album, Finelines. Now, as the band celebrates this milestone, they are gearing up for a massive return to the stage, marking their biggest show in over two decades.
The celebration will take place at London’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire on Thursday, December 10. This isn’t just a gig; it’s a landmark event, reconnecting a band with a cult following and a legacy that continues to resonate.
The origins of their enduring appeal lie squarely with Finelines. Hailed by critics and fans alike, the album was awarded three stars from NME at the time and praised as an “album perfect from start to finish.” It holds a special place in music history, credited as the first Nugaze album, a title jokingly coined by frontman Som Wardner.
The journey of My Vitriol has been a mix of intense musical output and necessary pauses. Following the release of Finelines, the band entered a hiatus in 2002. They briefly reunited in 2005 for a performance at the O2 Academy Islington, later chronicled on their self-released 2006 live album, Cast In Amber.
Since those early days, the band has continued to explore their sound, releasing subsequent EPs like A Pyrrhic Victory and War of the Worlds in 2007. Their commitment to the music has seen them return to the UK for a tour in 2017, proving their stamina and staying power.
The current event brings an exciting dynamic to the lineup, with support acts InMe and Yourcodenameis:milo joining the festivities. This pairing hints at potential new collaborations, especially given that the support act has also navigated its own hiatus and returned for charity work.
The anticipation surrounding the reunion is fueled by the band’s clear desire to create new material. Guitarist Justin Lockey has expressed a strong ambition: to create music that honors their past while pushing the boundaries. He stated a desire to produce something that is heavier and surpasses their previous efforts, stating that they must “don’t fucking care about anything else and make the heaviest thing we can.”
This creative hunger is not just about new songs; it involves revisiting the band’s history. Lockey revealed a keen interest in releasing unreleased tracks, including the original Albini version of a track like All Roads To Fault, showcasing a desire to fully honor their extensive catalogue.
For frontman Paul Mullen, the process is deeply joyful, noting he has a folder full of potential riffs from years past. He emphasized that the goal is simply to get the shows out of the way and see what happens. The energy surrounding this return confirms that My Vitriol remains a formidable force, ready to deliver another chapter in their explosive musical story.
Tickets for the celebration are available now, offering fans a chance to witness this legendary group celebrating their 25th anniversary live at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire.
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