Barrowlands 8th August - The Fusiliers, Antikythera Machina, Decoy, We The Fallen and Loose Lips Sink Ships

I hadn't had the best day ever, so when I walked into Barrowlands 2 on Friday I needed a bit of a pick-me-up. The Fusiliers, first act of the night, did the job nicely. They were lively, they sounded good, they were a sign that all is not wrong in the Indie sector. Had I not failed as a Glaswegian and gotten lost on my way to the venue, I'd be able to say a lot more about them, but alas they were off almost immediately.

Following on their heels, something completely different. Antikythera Machina, a band for whom heckling consisted of “Pronounce yer name!” are a largely instrumental rock-metal band with a progressive streak thrown in for good measure. They weren't afraid to try different sounds and change the direction of a tune suddenly and without warning. Whilst this occasionally gave a clumsy sound akin to that of someone skipping through a long CD track in search of their favourite parts, at other times this gave their music intensity, the latter effect becoming the more dominant one as the band's performance wore on. Alas, as their instrumental talents became more apparent, their vocal abilities failed to measure up. Four tunes in, they started yelling about something, with whatever message that may have been there being completely lost in the incomprehensibility of it all. Maybe it was good, I don't know – I've always struggled to work out the lyrics and possible talent behind the bellowing that is characteristic of heavier metal styles. The singing was over almost before it started, perhaps fortunately, and the music continued to build up towards and adrenaline-fueled finale.

Next up, Decoy. 'Charismatic' doesn't quite do them justice – they walked on stage, and you either loved them or thought they were posturing idiots trying to steal your style. They just had that 'popular kid who's also rather nice' air to them, and they were clearly certain that they'd be liked. And the music started off in the same way too – upbeat, enjoyable, harmless pop-rock that brought people up to the stage, grins all round. Once I managed to focus on them through the waves of confidence and feel-good that they exuded, though, I got an odd feeling.
I'd heard this before.
Is that... Travis?

The riff was oddly similar to a certain song from The Man Who. Hmm. Well, no matter, so they have an obvious influence, it's not like they ripped off the entire song. But... wait, that's Damien Rice. Biffy Clyro. Foo Fighters. Yep, these guys wore their inspirational artists on their sleeves, and whilst all their songs are their own material, it all left me with a feeling that I'd heard little that was new. Still, the audience liked them and people had fun and plenty of people had a noticeable glow about them as Decoy left the stage, so hey, it's not all bad news! Which is more than what I could say for the fourth act of the night.

We The Fallen, an emo/pop-punk group, failed to impress. Give them their due, they only formed at the start of this year and have already been on the radio and are gigging about, and were getting filmed on the night. However, they just... weren't very good.

Now, they certainly knew how to play their instruments. There was individual talent on display. The acoustics of the venue aren't the best either, for a new band of young people this can be a problem - but even with this taken into account, it didn't seem to work on the night. The lead singer was noticeably flat at times, and the band often lacked cohesion, the various instrumentalists just failing to tie together as a unit. Timing often slipped somewhere between on and off-beat. The rougher, 'choppier' sound charismatic of the genre did not work in WTF's favour, amplifying any time when the musician fell that little bit out of sync. This 'just off' aspect of the entire performance made it grating, to say the least. At times they almost reached the sound they were probably aiming for, and they almost fell into place for their cover of 'Umbrella'.

Yes, you did just read that.

The real shame is that, broken down, they weren't bad musicians. They just didn't seem to quite fit together and, what's more, they didn't appear really know what sound and style they were aiming for. The band will surely improve with time, but Friday's gig was probably not their best.

The final band, however, did know what they were aiming for. This was the second time I'd seen Loose Lips Sink Ships perform, and if anything they've improved. Lead singer Rachael looked completely comfortable on a stage and would quite happily dance when she wasn't singing. The music was heavier, showing more of their metal and emo influences than last time around, and with plenty of new material. Unfortunately, she and backing singer/bassist Chris were almost drowned out at times by the music, and they would probably benefit from reducing the instrumental volume to 10. This was not a persistent problem though, and did little to detract from the performance as a whole. It was energetic, it flowed well, it was... fun. Heavens, I don't even like emo, or metal, or many of the bands that inspired LLSS, but I really, really like these guys because they know how to make something 'okay' sound brilliant. Many of their songs were not too complicated, the sound wasn't fussy and little equipment was involved, but extras weren't needed. A little adjustment is required, but overall this is a band to keep an eye on.

I was in a much better mood when I left the venue. Thank goodness for good music.

[SqueeTDM]

This is what "Hitz magazine" had to say about We The Fallens performance.
The word "lies" seems to cover the Hitz review for me.

But thanks for this review well written, and I really really enjoyed Antikythera Machina, I auduitioned for their old band Rune (wee fact for you there).

[Girshkin]

WTF, aka 'loud guitars and the incredible cat-strangling woman'? Awful, truly awful. I gladly stood at the bar and drank throughout their entire performance.

First time I'd seen LLSS and thought they did well, but won't comment on them in relation to the other bands as I am biased.

Decoy were alright, but not really my thing. Good night overall though.

[MarkMono]

Originally Posted by Girshkin

but won't comment on them in relation to the other bands as I am biased.

This was exactly the impression I got from the review. It makes a good case for not reviewing yer pals bands.

Well-written otherwise.

[Mwezzi]

Originally Posted by Girshkin

WTF, aka 'loud guitars and the incredible cat-strangling woman'? Awful, truly awful. I gladly stood at the bar and drank throughout their entire performance.

First time I'd seen LLSS and thought they did well, but won't comment on them in relation to the other bands as I am biased.

Decoy were alright, but not really my thing. Good night overall though.

I always try to be hopeful in my analysis of new groups, and allowed myself to cool off a bit before putting together my thoughts about them. If you want to see my notes containing a more accurate reflection of my initial reaction on the night, drop me a line.
As for reviewing your mates bands, that wasn't me hyperbolising, that was an honest opinion after hearing them exactly twice. I do honestly think they are very good. And I was asked to do a quick write-up. I'm willing to send you my review from another mate's gig a while back where I utterly slammed the poor guys, though. They didn't look me in the eye for a while afterwards.

[Girshkin]

[quote=Mwezzi;3443165]I always try to be hopeful in my analysis of new groups, and allowed myself to cool off a bit before putting together my thoughts about them. If you want to see my notes containing a more accurate reflection of my initial reaction on the night, drop me a line. [quote]

I have a fair feeling of what it may have said, but send me it anyway!

I don't get what the fuss was all about. I knew one of the bands was being filmed and I'm genuinely at a loss as to why it was them. Maybe E4 see some kind of raw talent I don't see. Maybe ten years from now they will have changed the face of music as we know it. BUT, if you are going to do covers they have to be either funny or do something interesting with it; Umbrella was neither.

[Mwezzi]

Originally Posted by Girshkin

BUT, if you are going to do covers they have to be either funny or do something interesting with it; Umbrella was neither.

What're you talking about? Me and dil_em_ma were rolling about in stitches at the back - when Shannow turned up just after WTF had finished I was still babbling like a shriekyloon.

[Girshkin]

it wasn't intentionally funny tho! it was just bad-funny! not the same.

where are brian's piccies of the night anyway? wonderful shot of me blinking as always.

[Bunnylingus]

Thats ace.

Thanks Helen.

[Tacky]

*In reference to HITS magazine thingy*

Hahahahaha - blagged their way in? Really? Because, it was SO sold out? It wasnt like you COULD get a ticket on the door, and it WASNT like folk were LEAVING during the night, and after their mate's band had finished!

What a load of horse, shit!

[SqueeTDM]

Originally Posted by Tacky

*In reference to HITS magazine thingy*

Hahahahaha - blagged their way in? Really? Because, it was SO sold out? It wasnt like you COULD get a ticket on the door, and it WASNT like folk were LEAVING during the night, and after their mate's band had finished!

What a load of horse, shit!

It was the bit that said the crowd "erupted" that had me in stiches.

[Bunnylingus]

Fraser, quit badmouthing them, it makes us look bitter.

[SqueeTDM]

Im badmouthing the review

[Brookie]

the singer of the fallen's dad happens to be tommy cunningham of wet wet wet fame. Hence the tv n magazines

[Bunnylingus]

Their drummer knows the guy from E4.

I really liked the other bands btw, Decoy and Antikythera were just lovely.