With over 30 bands spread over 5 venues all day on the 9th of March, the Tenement Trail Festival organised by those lovely people at Tenement TV in Glasgow is an event mirroring EH1 in Edinburgh and with an equally as impressive list of gigs. With that in mind Ralph's intrepid roving reporter in Scotland Malcolm 'anorak' Parry set out to cover as many as possible by close of play.
Going over to Glasgow to cover the SAMA Awards and having a Quo gig on the Saturday night, it would have been rude not to cover the all day event, 30 + bands over 5 venues (mainly Sauchiehall Street) and flat 0/1. At only £10 a ticket, in my opinion, a bargain, especially when you get the chance to see upcoming and many of Friday night's SAMA nominees and winners live in one day.
Still a bit fragile from the night's before shenanigan's I wearily make my way to the art school to catch first act Luca. All four members play head bound like they have all received bad news or just to create an atmospheric ambiance. Whichever way, I like what I hear, moody 'Placebo' style vocals, sometimes 'Bush' like in places, a touch grungy with chiming guitars ringing out to finish. A good start
I catch up again with Fat Goth before they take the stage, telling me they wisely got an earlier night than me. Frazer telling me last nights performance didn't do them much justice, a bit rushed and one of their members getting to the event just before they took the stage. They take the small intimate venue by storm, today I like them more, thinking these sort of venue's suit their energetic metal riffs and aggressive vocals better.
Their sound a mixture of Metallica and Megadeath licks, Frazer doing a great Dave Mustain shredding like his life depended on it. Doom laden vocals with a touch of falsetto which takes the edge off, the rhythm section tight as a Fat Goth in wet leggings, all with a punky attitude. My god these boys make some racket. Catch them at a venue near you soon.
Next I enter second venue G2 (the Garage ) to witness a 5 piece indie rock band Crash Club including a DJ- knob twiddler, sounding like early '90's indie dance Primal Scream 'Screamadelica' period, especially with a lead man who looks uncannily like a young Bobby Gillespie even strutting and dancing like him. They swap main singers for a taller more static singer, who is introduced “As the lanky Bastard” he takes them in to a different sound direction, more acid house. Young Bobby swaggers back introducing the last song, a cosmic rock 'Exterminator' period frenzy. Well worth looking out for, lost a bit of edge due to the venue's sound being a bit low.
Back to the Art School to catch 3-piece Baby Strange and by this time the venue is busy. Lead man oozes Joe Strummer coolness. I witness a touch of Glasvegas without the football chant anthem's, crumbles of shoe gaze, rock a billy rock especially on track 'I want it, I need it' Black Rebel Motorcycle Club driving garage rock on 'Get by me'. Just the right side of punk rock which makes the girls dance and the lads nod along in respect. Lot's of cool influences from these young guys. Another highlight and one to watch.
Over the road to Nice and Sleazy's and I love this venue. I'm greeted by a drunken audience all dancing along to 5-piece Saint Max and the Fanatics. Ska fused upbeat indie popsters, including trombone/ trumpet players. Lead man ' Saint Max' with an eccentric edge sounding like Early 'Blur' and 'Clearlake' dancing frantically along with the groove, introducing a cover of Boney M - 'Rasputin' nice choice! Awesome feel good music. Even yodeling at one point. We get Kings of Leon – 'Molly's Chambers' riffs mixed with The Kooks vocals on one track.Afterwards I catch a quick chat with lead man 'Saint Max' He tells me he is heavily influenced by Morissey which shows on 'Wonderful Life' and his aim is - “Too make music girls will dance too” well his work was done today judging by the ladies bouncing along to his quirky pop tunes. Already championed by Steve Lamacq on BBC Radio 6 music, surely these guys should be put on your must see bands of the year.
Last venue was Broadcast and I catch the end of psychedelic rockers Selective Service. All 60's acid infused early Who, The Small Faces, Pink Floyd and Status Quo with a shower of Jimi Hendrix, especially the bassist who's sporting a mean microphone hair style. Lead man sounding and strutting like Tom from Kasabian I feel like I’ve walked into a Swinging 60's London bar. I swear I saw John Lennon off his rocker in the corner. I aim to investigate their music more, so should you.
Next we get traditional blues men 'Dirty diamonds and the Guns lingers. More experienced rock n rollers, full tight sound including double bass, harmonica with a real blues lounge feel and bluegrass edge. Quality.
Back for the last time in the art school for Fridge Magnets. A sound of commercial Electro music dance titan Avici mixed with guitars. Lead singer sporting a base ball cap to the side like a Scottish Eminem. Enticing the packed audience to move closer and get ready to touch the ceiling. The music drops into a electronic breakdown, the crowd go wild, music which would go down a storm in Ibiza/ Majorca rocks outside summer gigs. Very commercial, entertaining and uplifting.
I take a quick exit over to the Quo gig at the o2 then get back for last band of the night in Broadcast, enjoying a chat and drink with members of River 68's' and The Holy Ghosts. I head downstairs slightly intoxicated to catch Sunshine Social a folksy pop 5-piece who should have blown me away but didn't. Never really taking off, stopping and starting, a toned down 'Mumford and Sons' though nice harmonies, acoustic tinkering and Scottish vocal delivery. Maybe they were too drunk or I was, but wasn't impressed. They did let out illuminated balloons into the audience which was a nice finish. I leave or stagger, heading over to see the much anticipated band of the day.
Outside Flat 0/1 there is a queue to get in to see Kassidy. The highly tipped band already fresh from having played twice today, I surge forward to the doormen and explain I need to finish the day reviewing this band as my wee dog blogger wouldn't be a happy puppy if I returned to H.Q. without it, he tells me the venue is at it's maximum capacity. I wait for people to leave and get the nod to go in, he wasn't kidding, the punters squashed up, all eager to catch a rare chance to see their local heroes in an intimate setting. I stand back as the boys take to the makeshift stage, a stripped down version of the band, minus a drummer (who someone tells me got kicked out and refused entry due to capacity, until they realized who he was! I cannot confirm or deny this statement). @fruitbatwalton it is I saw it. Was standing right beside him when it happened and I tweeted him next day and he replied saying aye lol
— Emma (@youareamoo) March 19, 2013
Regardless the atmosphere is electric as everyone sings along to every word from the front men. Their sound is definitely anthem 70's sounding mainstream folk rock. Initially I thought they came across like The Stereophonics with the Faces, all good company. A couple of tunes in I’m singing along, infectious chorus and Ronnie Wood blues like rock riffs. One band I would think will be new Scottish exports, a big band to end a big thoroughly enjoyable day of quality live Scottish music. Hat's off to the organizers for a great job and I would like to finish saying “See you next Year”
Been waiting all week to get my tuppencence worth in. I meant to see and interview Luca but was late and did not get a chance to interview them but think they are pretty fab, going on the tracks I've heard so far. Can't comment on live performance at present, but think they have a sound that owes a lot to Joy Division.
ReplyDeleteFirst band up that I saw were Selective Service. Hats off to the guys for playing all new tracks. I have saw them live before doing a whole set, so my only complaint was that that the set was not long enough. I honestly do not see any resemblence to Status Quo at all though. So yeah, do investigate their music more everyone! Great band and Ian (lead singer) has a terrific stage presence.
Was very impressed with Fridge Magnets, esp as they had a slight tech hitch in the middle of their set. Saw them doing an acoustic version of Feeling Grows and the lead singer can sing. Pleased to report that they are laying down new tracks at the moment. Really enjoyed their set and was at the front raving away with the best of them at 5.00 pm at night!
Sorry, don't agree with you about MADISON. I have interviewed the boys and they are attempting to make music that appeals to a broad audience. I did not catch their set at TT, as I had saw them only a few weeks prior to this but I think they are brilliant musicians for their age. They appeal to me and I am way past the teenager stage. Ok I might be slightly biased as they are from the same town as me.
The Holy Ghosts just have to be one of the best rock-a-billy acts I have ever seen (and I've seen a few). However, this is rock and roll for now as I don't think they done any covers. I see the reviewer did not catch them, pity as they really had the joint jumping.
Last up (for me) was Fluorescent Hearts, another Cumbernauld band who have been very busy this year! Touring a lot, getting loads of experience under their belt. Again, have saw them play before this and I think they are really good. When I had them on my show my listener figures shot up! So they do appeal to a younger audience, I know they have plenty of devoted fans so was really surprised to find them playing to a mostly empty venue. Did not make any difference as they played a blinder. Just a pity was only a handful of people there to hear it!
Alas, I did not have the tenacity of the reviewer to try and squeeze in and see Kassidy perform (even though I had a press pass), I just could not stand the over-crowding in the venue. I have saw them at The Barrowlands though and these boys are really pretty big. They were headed for Texas the very next day.
So I agree, a great day out and hope Tenement TV do the same thing next year.