SOUND OF GUNS
Little Secrets-Death Of A Hero
The Haigh
A more than warm evening at The Haigh on saturday night played host to three Liverpool bands in varying degrees of infancy. First up were DEATH OF A HERO, a fresh incarnation of former Merseyside outfit Black Velvet. Wasting no time in launching into a set full of pub rock tunes, the band quickly found their groove. And whilst 'pub rock' does have some pretty horrible connotations, I use it here in a more positive way. This is a band who who are stationed in that paradox of male-dominated British rock; that is touching upon the age-old subjects of love lost and heartbreak but walloping it out within the masculine framework of conventional rock. This is what Death Of A Hero do but judging by songs like set-closer Ours Only, they do it very well. Next up were LITTLE SECRETS, and these first twenty words are, unfortunately, the most praise I can send their way. Bland, vulgar, brazen and shamelessly self-promoting; all reasons for me cringing into my own disdain before so much as three minutes of their set had elapsed. Their focal point being a gimmick of a lead vocalist in a skimpy white dress, concentrating so hard on pouting, it was surprising she managed to pour out those banal lyrics at all. What she brings to the world of performing, Jordan brings to literature at a canter. On an off day. Singer-based vitriol aside, even their strongest song Dreamer offered, at best, respite from a truly uninspiring bunch of songs. Never has indie-by-numbers worried me so much. The final act of the evening were SOUND OF GUNS. Self-assured and carrying a swagger denoting their growing reputation, they arrived to a rapidly swelling crowd bustling in anticipation. A 5-piece with a distinctive wall of sound approach, wailing guitars and marching drums give them an on-stage presence which, at the very least, stole the show on this night. Wielding material from their début album What Came From Fire, they quickly found top gear through the likes of the stadium-friendly Architects. They are not pioneers though and perhaps borrow too heavily from others; single Alcatraz in particular is very reminiscent of The Music's Welcome To The North. Never underestimate the pull of one or two big choruses though, and this, combined with the tigger-esque energy of frontman Andy Metcalfe made for a thrill-filled frenzy of a performance. For this group the next couple of years could be huge.
Pete Robinson
Thursday, 27 May 2010
Tuesday, 25 May 2010
Liverpool Sound City Review
CASHIER NO 9
Kowalski-Cutaways-Axis Of
Metropolitan
The Met on Thursday night played host to a quartet of acts hailing from Northern Ireland, showcasing a varied line-up full of energy, ideas and on occasion sheer musical mayhem. The latter, a descriptor used with Belfast alternative hardcore act AXIS OF firmly in mind. A three-piece evidently not in the business of taking themselves too seriously, it was hard not to get caught up in the chaotic zeal poured into this set. Chaos it may have been but it wasn't without purpose as the band demonstrated a curious blend of thoughtful lyrics, in offerings such as Swine Flu Versus Bird Flu and expressions of guttural wailing in new single Port Na Spaniagh. Next on the billing were the synth-laden CUTAWAYS. In comparison only to what had come before, the Met now seemed to have an air of the delicate world of pop about it. The confrontational and the abrasive replaced with the sweet, engrossing melodies of an altogether more indie outfit. However, in the same way as Jagjaguwar band Black Mountain, this is a group departing a little from the heavier sounds that have perhaps inspired them in order to foray into more radio-friendly territory. Whilst this is an interesting niche and the band have charm aplenty, the lighter moments seem a little plastic and contrived and on occasion they can seem flimsy. Following Cutaways were Bangor-based outfit KOWALSKI. Purveyors of pop rock in the more electro tradition, there are no identity issues here. The band do however, possess creative dynamism in spades. Bringing to mind Logic Will Break Your Heart- era Stills by way of layered guitars in Take Care, Take Flight, whilst departing for the pulsing bass and pounding drums of a Broken Social Scene album track in Get Back. Add this to the obvious asset of Louis Price's vocals and this could well be a band you'll hear more of. Finally, it was the turn of CASHIER NO. 9 to find a place in the conscience of the crowd. Perhaps not as instantly consumable in either appearance or sound as some of their compatriots sharing the bill, you soon got the impression that they were more about the nuance and the subtleties. Take 42 West Avenue as a case in point, country-infused and extremely pretty, it sounds a lot like The Bluetones and has almost soundtrack-like, passive nature about it. This was a common theme. Indeed, such was the detail of the songcraft, you only noticed a song's affect once it was gone. Listen if you get chance.
Pete Robinson
Kowalski-Cutaways-Axis Of
Metropolitan
The Met on Thursday night played host to a quartet of acts hailing from Northern Ireland, showcasing a varied line-up full of energy, ideas and on occasion sheer musical mayhem. The latter, a descriptor used with Belfast alternative hardcore act AXIS OF firmly in mind. A three-piece evidently not in the business of taking themselves too seriously, it was hard not to get caught up in the chaotic zeal poured into this set. Chaos it may have been but it wasn't without purpose as the band demonstrated a curious blend of thoughtful lyrics, in offerings such as Swine Flu Versus Bird Flu and expressions of guttural wailing in new single Port Na Spaniagh. Next on the billing were the synth-laden CUTAWAYS. In comparison only to what had come before, the Met now seemed to have an air of the delicate world of pop about it. The confrontational and the abrasive replaced with the sweet, engrossing melodies of an altogether more indie outfit. However, in the same way as Jagjaguwar band Black Mountain, this is a group departing a little from the heavier sounds that have perhaps inspired them in order to foray into more radio-friendly territory. Whilst this is an interesting niche and the band have charm aplenty, the lighter moments seem a little plastic and contrived and on occasion they can seem flimsy. Following Cutaways were Bangor-based outfit KOWALSKI. Purveyors of pop rock in the more electro tradition, there are no identity issues here. The band do however, possess creative dynamism in spades. Bringing to mind Logic Will Break Your Heart- era Stills by way of layered guitars in Take Care, Take Flight, whilst departing for the pulsing bass and pounding drums of a Broken Social Scene album track in Get Back. Add this to the obvious asset of Louis Price's vocals and this could well be a band you'll hear more of. Finally, it was the turn of CASHIER NO. 9 to find a place in the conscience of the crowd. Perhaps not as instantly consumable in either appearance or sound as some of their compatriots sharing the bill, you soon got the impression that they were more about the nuance and the subtleties. Take 42 West Avenue as a case in point, country-infused and extremely pretty, it sounds a lot like The Bluetones and has almost soundtrack-like, passive nature about it. This was a common theme. Indeed, such was the detail of the songcraft, you only noticed a song's affect once it was gone. Listen if you get chance.
Pete Robinson
Tuesday, 4 May 2010
theCOLOURS review, Bumper, Liverpool. 22.4.10
22nd April, 2010.
theCOLOURS at Bumper, Liverpool.
The name itself is an undeniable irritant, the band-name equivalent of a school girl spelling her name with a smiley face above any 'i's'. Musically though, there is a certain purity to the cultivated sound of Reading's theCOLOURS. From the beginning of this relatively short set at Liverpool's Bumper, the Berkshire three-piece seemed keen to show-off an immediately memorable set of songs.
There is nothing particularly pioneering about their sound and theirs is a musical path well-trodden in recent years. Indeed, this is electro-pop in a similar vein to the FrYars (more infuriating use of the caps lock), CSS or even Hot Chip but whilst not consciously taking to this band at first, I quickly found myself engaged in some pretty catchy choruses. Forthcoming single 'Tonight I Let You Go' was an obvious highlight, showcasing a high calibre of songcraft. Overall, the group do convey enthusiasm in abundance pointing, perhaps, to a real passion for what they do.
The difficulty for a band like theCOLOURS may well be finding their own identity. In a musical world where originality is equally as hard to find as it is prized, finding either substantial success or longevity may prove hard. On the basis of this night alone though, there is fun to be had at their live shows and the strong vocals of frontman Tom Pickford are a real asset. Add to this the radio-friendly infectiousness of the songs and this could easily be a band you'll hear move of. Ground-breaking they might not be but worthy of your attention they probably are.
theCOLOURS at Bumper, Liverpool.
The name itself is an undeniable irritant, the band-name equivalent of a school girl spelling her name with a smiley face above any 'i's'. Musically though, there is a certain purity to the cultivated sound of Reading's theCOLOURS. From the beginning of this relatively short set at Liverpool's Bumper, the Berkshire three-piece seemed keen to show-off an immediately memorable set of songs.
There is nothing particularly pioneering about their sound and theirs is a musical path well-trodden in recent years. Indeed, this is electro-pop in a similar vein to the FrYars (more infuriating use of the caps lock), CSS or even Hot Chip but whilst not consciously taking to this band at first, I quickly found myself engaged in some pretty catchy choruses. Forthcoming single 'Tonight I Let You Go' was an obvious highlight, showcasing a high calibre of songcraft. Overall, the group do convey enthusiasm in abundance pointing, perhaps, to a real passion for what they do.
The difficulty for a band like theCOLOURS may well be finding their own identity. In a musical world where originality is equally as hard to find as it is prized, finding either substantial success or longevity may prove hard. On the basis of this night alone though, there is fun to be had at their live shows and the strong vocals of frontman Tom Pickford are a real asset. Add to this the radio-friendly infectiousness of the songs and this could easily be a band you'll hear move of. Ground-breaking they might not be but worthy of your attention they probably are.
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