Sunday 10 April 2011
Saturday 9 April 2011
Live Review: Pearl Handled Revolver/Trouble With Tuesday - The Red Lion: Stevenage
I arrived at the Red Lion in Stevenage – to watch two bands from Stevenage & Bedford respectively. Is this relevant to the Luton Scene? Yes! ;)
I’ve been to this pub a few times on gig night now and it’s always busy considering it’s a school night. Also a fair few punters are there to enjoy original music – even though a lot still gather outside. (Not as bad as a certain other pub *cough cough* The White Swan: Aylesbury!) It also has a decent sound despite the bands being confined to a compact stage facing the back entrance.
With only putting on two bands in one evening it gives each a chance to play longer sets and it also makes the night less tiring. These gig nights that have up to 5 bands I personally find exhausting.
Trouble With Tuesday
Stevenage’s very own Trouble With Tuesday I would best describe as an Indie band reminiscent of groups in the 90’s i.e. Oasis & Ocean Colour Scene that in turn were influenced heavily by the 60’s groups: The Kinks, The Small Faces etc. I would say this is a wise move as the genre appears to be making a return to the Mainstream. (Beady Eye, Arctic Monkeys new material etc)
This three piece were solid with a mix of well structured tunes – they opened up with a very memorable track called Lonely Man that showcased the decent vocal range of the singer; Adam Compton. He also played Lead guitar and looked well at ease with both duties.
I enjoyed every song they played and they threw a couple of slow tracks into the mix which is risky as it could lose some of the crowd but it showed a variety to their material.
The drumming was simple but effective and the Bassist looked like he could fit in well with ZZTop. Offered the backbone to the band but wasn’t quite as tight as the other members.
Pearl Handled Revolver
I think a considerable amount of people still believe that original bands that gig in pubs are only good enough to do just that. Maybe that was the case 20 years ago – now I think it’s just down to plain luck.
A good example is Pearl Handled Revolver. Here they are playing to 50 people, maybe more? Now take a look at Saint Jude; another Blues group that are getting all the press at the moment. They’re currently touring Europe and will be playing the High Voltage festival this year. Are they really that much better? Material and ability live? I wouldn’t say so.
Pearl Handled Revolver are a pure Rock Blues band, heavily influenced by bands such as the Yardbirds and in particular the Doors, especially with a Hammond Organ playing a major part.
They began the set with a couple of numbers that were very groovy, foot tapping stuff but mid tempo – maybe would work better put in the middle but still you knew you were in for a treat.
The singer: Lee Vernon has very unique gruff vocals which gives the band its identify. I’ve been use to hearing a more soulful voice before but of course it’s more common.
Things got really into gear by the third song: I Never Loved You Anyway. The intro does remind me a lot of Joe Cockers version “A Little Help From My Friends” but once the song kicks into the verse all is forgotten and you’re left with a fantansic uplifting track – that should be heard on mainstream radio all over the country.
What an excellent bunch of musicians being on top of their game with their instruments - all combining together to bring a very tight performance. A nice touch came when the bassist picked up a guitar for one song and the bass notes were performed by the Keyboardist – again reminding me of the Doors.
The rest of the set ended strongly with a mix of mid tempo groove and uplifting tracks.
Some people will argue there aren’t many other directions they can go – but how long as Blues been going for – 100 years!?
Friday 8 April 2011
Thursday 7 April 2011
Wednesday 6 April 2011
Tuesday 5 April 2011
Monday 4 April 2011
Sunday 3 April 2011
Saturday 2 April 2011
Friday 1 April 2011
Live Review: As Daylight Dies/In Remission/Lecarla/Arms of Atlas -The Hat Factory
Four bands, one evening, a lot of fun, music, surprises, and... Well, you'll know soon enough :)
As Daylight Dies
You know, I was probably not the only person who had this gut feeling: "This cannot end well". Whenever I see a band consisting of very young musicians, I always have this lingering fear that something has to go terribly wrong.
This was no exception when “As Daylight Dies” arrived on the stage. Obviously the initial reaction was less than positive - but hey - everyone deserves a chance.
I'm happy to say they didn't mess it up :)
Four young lads (I mean YOUNG) rocking out and doing rather well.
Yes, considering their age, they were really good - hell they could stand their ground anyway!
I admire their urge to play live, I admire the balls that it takes to stand on the stage and perform and I admire the fact that they took it seriously.
They played a good set of straight-up hard rock and it was a pleasant experience. But - there's always something isn't there?
Well, this time; it's praise. I mean genuine praise alright? I know I've been quite positive in my reviews so far, but when I mean praise - it's exactly that.
The young man on Lead Guitar: Ollie Nash. I'm going to assume that every guitar part was written by him – just by the way he performs and NAILS it, I think it's more than plausible. Ollie Nash impressed me with his skill, passion and professionalism.
I know it's dangerous to praise a single person out of the entire band, but I could not sleep with a clear conscience otherwise :)
Regardless - if you have a chance to look them up, or see the band - do it! Your hope in young bands pulling it off will be reinforced. Titanium-style :)
In Remission
Think of “Breaking Benjamin” with more punch and less "cheese". A lot less "cheese"! :D
Everything about this band seems to "click" and fit well.
All of the musicians know their business and how to put on a good show - they got me head-banging a few times during their set.
One of their main pluses would be the song writing. While “Breaking Benjamin” crafts music to appease the "Emo" crowd, “In Remission” can easily appeal to the hard rock crowd.
It's all in the balance really. Just enough heavy guitars, clean vocals, hammering drums and being sophisticated to the right degree.
Bands within the genre of "Melodic Hardcore Rock" - as they call themselves - tend to focus on the emotional aspect of their music, whilst ignoring the actual "Hardcore" & - Let's be honest - for almost anyone who's not in their teens it will get tiring and boring.
Thankfully, “In Remission” steers clear of being too mainstream.
They were not exceptionally good, but still very solid and I'd like to see them again.
Lecarla
In my humble and honest opinion, this was the Headlining band! This was the highlight of the night.
I'm not just saying this because the band consists of two blokes and three beauties. I mean it because; they had the crowd, because they were absolutely FANTASTIC. Caps oh-so-very-much-intended for once.
When they came to the stage I was expecting a mix of "Hole" or "Kittie" or any other female-fronted, female-only rock/metal band. Little did I know...
“Lecarla” are a band that evades pin-pointing and “Ha! Hard rock!"- kind of pigeon-hole nonsense.
You have elements of In-Your-Face Rock, Heavy Metal, Hardcore, even elements of Pop and awesome-fucking-ness. There! I'm swearing, but I've got every reason to do that.
This band not only had the connection with the crowd, (not to mention the male section) the stage presence (duh!), but they knew how to play music that is just a plain joy to listen to.
All this by people with so much talent and skill.
Joe Alofano - Lead guitarist, nailing every song. I didn't notice a missed note. Fantastic work.
Stephen North – Drummer - with a smile. That guy is wicked! He made drumming look easy and most of all - he made it look like pure fun.
Nikki Brightman - Bassist. This girl was spot-on with her low end contribution - a goddamn human metronome with a really good backing voice to boot!
Stevie Shepperson - The flame-haired rhythm guitarist. Made some fabulous work of her own - often giving the band the backbone on which they built the songs.
Lizzy Dent – Vocalist. The girl who puts Soul into the body of Lecarla. Terrific voice that could put to shame many of the mainstream pop acts.
The entire band was exceptional in their own departments, fusing them all into what Lecarla really is.
And it's a force to be reckoned with.
I'm really trying hard to think of something I didn't like - I have nothing.
Spot-on, fun, entertaining, creative - I could go on. There's just one thing left to be said:
See them, hear them, and fall in love with their music.
Arms of Atlas
A band that could be best described as Metalcore, just without a growling vocalist.
Bear it in mind, it's in no way an accurate description - but that's as close as I can get to describe their style.
These five guys from Leicester really know how to play; they really know what makes the crowd go mental.
As instrumentalists I can hardly say a bad word, every section within every song was solid.
I'm going to get a lot of flack now :D
Unfortunately I came out slightly unimpressed.
Yes - the band was good - the songs were competent - but there were flaws.
Once I heard the intro, the verse, the chorus, I knew what was coming next.
They were too predictable for my liking. I often found myself drifting away during the set. Barely did I stay focused on what they were playing after the first verse and chorus; the notable exceptions would be the breakdowns.
If there's something the band really knows how to play; it would be heavy, mosh-tastic; breakdowns that get you either head-bobbing or just join the unveiling mosh pit in front of you.
I know there's a certain appeal for bands playing this kind of music and I totally understand why there’s fans of the genre. Hell I like Metalcore myself, but there was something missing there.
Was it a bit more diversity? I'd argue yes - there was little diversity in the sound.
You can blame the venue, as often could be the case, for not giving the band the justice of a good sound – but then the previous bands sounded great.
It's my opinion. You can have your own :D
By Paul's Music Shack - check out his other reviews!
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