I have to admit, I was dubious about this gig. It’s a band comprising close friends of both my boyfriend and flatmate and I was worried it was going to be one of those “no you have to see this band, they’re amazing” when actually you’d rather listen to a homeless man pee into a bucket. The venue was exactly as I’d expected – fairly spacious backroom of a North London pub complete with stage and everything. So far so good.
The headliners,
Diesel Sky, are South Londoners by trade and the no-show of the third (local) band on the headline really hurt the turn-out. I was assured by everyone there that it was the least populated
Diesel Sky gig they’d ever been to. I decided to give benefit of the doubt, grabbed a pint and got settled for
Snish (yes that’s really their name).
They were alright - kind of punk-rock with a bit of scream metal ladelled on top. They struck me as a band that could be really quite good once they work out some rather glaring flaws. Such as the lead vocalists inability to face the audience (what’s that about?). The entire time he was onstage (including a guest-yell with the headliners) I think I saw his face maybe four times. I saw his arse, and his multi-coloured pants (which actually endeared him to me far more than his performance), more than anything else. The guitarists were fine. The drummer was by far the most accomplished musician but this meant he tended to change rhythm and pace in the middle of songs. That would have been fine but his fellow musicians couldn’t keep up and it ended up sounding jarred. A real pity cos the kid’s clearly talented.
The second and final band of the evening,
Diesel Sky, are a strange amalgamation. A drummer who, despite looking nothing like a muppet, reminded me strongly of Animal, a guitarist that looks freakishly like a boy I went to school with, a singer who reminds me of the lead guy from Muse, if the lead guy form Muse was prettier and just better in general, and his bassist brother, straight out of a Bill and Ted film (complete with “San Dimas High School football team rocks!”). Despite the seeming mishmash, these boys can play!
There were crazy beats (thank you Animal), screaming vocals (with a bit of melody thrown in for good measure) and four musicians who obviously have been playing together, and loving it, for quite a while. They were tight, totally focussed and in a rip roaring mood. Even the banter was fantastic – admittedly most of it comprising of Glenn (the frat boy bassist) and my boyfriend yelling at each other, as is the way of over-excited male friends, but the atmosphere was wicked, the music was rock solid and everyone was having a great time.
Of course, this wouldn’t be a review of mine if I didn’t pick up on a few tiny issues I had. Like the sound guy. Either he was shit at his job or he had a real thing for the guitarist cos that mike was up to the max! Fair enough except there was already a lead vocalist and he was being drowned out – which brings me to my next tiny issue. I’m not entirely sure why they were letting the guitarist sing at all. Don’t get me wrong, he was excellent on his instrument but vocally? Not so much. His voice had no tone or texture and he just didn’t look like he owned it. Not by a long shot.
Despite the minor flaws I had a brilliant evening and listened to some great music. If you like your rock to be of the “big, bad and fun” variety then check these boys out – you’ll love it. A big thumbs up all round.
www.myspace.com/dieselsky www.myspace.com/snishband
