Tsunami Charity gig- The main act!

Scott lackadaisically wandered onto stage and broke into one of the biggest songs off Frightened Rabbit’s second album, Modern Leaper, followed swiftly by The Twist. He then announced that he hadn’t actually made a set list, to which there was an outcry of requests from the audience. He selected, Less Rude, providing a rare performance of one of their songs off of their first album, Sing the Greys.

 

Throughout the gig, the audience were not only kept entertained by the musical talents of Mr Hutchison, but were also suitably kept chuckling by Scott’s comedic commentary on his songs. Stopping halfway through Nothing Like You, he explained that in the chorus he always has to restrain the urge to palm mute along to “she was not the cure for cancer, and all my questions still ask for answers…” (Palm muting, for all those who aren’t musically minded, is when a chord repeated chord is played faster, but quieter. It’s predominantly used in genetic rock/pop/punk music, hence the jest.) The crowd were loving it, but whether it was the song, the palm mute, or the hilarity created by the combination of the two, it is yet to be decided.

Scott got his brother Grant out to vibe with him to Old Fashioned, where he grab a spare tambourine and brought his dulcet tones to the piece.

One of my personal highlights from the evening was the story behind the song, Snake. Scott explained about his heartbreak over “Midnight organ girl,” to which the audience gave supportive cheers and jeers, telling the audience about how he wrote a song about his and his girlfriend’s draft excluder, which was a multi-coloured snake, so as to woo her back when she moved to New York. It was funny, heart warming and heart breaking all rolled into one.

It was especially poignant as Backwards Walk followed it; to which the audience sang along, word for word. The emotional lyrics, “I’m working on erasing you, I just don’t have the proper tools. I’ll get hammered forget that you exist, there’s no way I’m forgetting this,” were so relevant and immediate to the emotion behind the story that it just made sense that the they went together in the set list.

Finishing the intimate glimpse into the emotional mindset behind the album, Midnight Organ Fight, Scott played Floating in the Forth. This song, which he doesn’t play with the band and feared that he’d “fuck it up,” talks about the suicidal thoughts that he was dealing with when writing the album, and openly said, “it’s just how I was feeling at the time.” It was just beautiful to behold the stories behind some of the most honest and beautifully blunt lyrics ever written.

He grabbed his Frabbit band mates for a broken down version of Living in Colour and Head Rolls Off, followed by Swim Until You Can’t See Land, which is was safe to say that Scott was pretty much drowned out by the audience participation.

After the Frabbit boys, the next special guest that Scott brought onto stage was the lovely James Graham from Twighlight Sad. The unnecessarily bashful singer helped Scott out with the vocals for their cover of the Halle and Oats classic, Private Eye.

Rounding off the evening with Good Arms vs Bad Arms, Scott then stepped on front of his mic and performed Poke entirely acoustically. The entire room filled with the crowds’ voices, along with the almost silent sound of his guitar; it was a beautiful way to end the gig.

The crowd wanted more, however, and Scott came back on to finally finish the set with Keep Yourself Warm, to which the crowd joined in, word for word and note for note.

We all knew why we were there and where our money was going to. But what the acts managed to do was equal the charitable efforts of the evening, with some spectacular performances, making the evening wholly and entirely sweet.

Tsunami Charity gig- warm ups!

I find charity gigs quite bitter-sweet in general.

Predominantly it’s a band or artist constantly reminding you that you are having a great time while other people are struggling through some of the most horrible human experiences, inevitably leading to a mixed emotional bag of awkwardness.

Clearly not everybody feels as I do though, as the tickets for the gig were sold out days before the event. I caved and purchased the last two tickets available; the opportunity to see Frightened Rabbit’s Scott Hutchison perform an intimate and acoustic solo set was, and for future reference is not, an opportunity to be missed.

The atmosphere at stereo emphasised the bitter-sweet element of the evening; the excitement was juxtaposed by a relaxed and pensive friendliness. Everyone knew the meaning and purpose behind the night’s performance, but equally it seemed as though everybody was there primarily to experience some truly moving music.

Haight Ashbury made a strong start to the evening. Clearly influenced by American folk music, with a healthy amount of sixties love and protest based lyrics thrown in, Haight Ashbury managed to intrigue the surprisingly large audience for the first act on.

As the second act set up, the crowd grew extensively; a couple of shunts forward and the last bar trip of the evening undergone, two exceptionally stunning ladies came to the stage.

Now it wasn’t only the duo’s looks that grabbed the crowds attention and grasped on tight so that they had no choice but to sit up and take note; by the end of their first song, Gill and Jenny managed to stun the audience into a suitable awe struck silence, followed quickly by a mass round of applause.

The girls are not only exceptionally talented musicians, with both of them switching from guitar to fiddle, but they are so harmonised in their vocals that it came as a complete shock when they announced that this was the first time that they had performed together.

Their hauntingly harmonised vocals were also impressively and imaginatively altered during one of their songs, when one of them sang through their violin string, creating the oddest, yet perfectly suited reverberation of sound.

Their set concluded with a comic, yet original cover of JLS’s Beat Again, where the audience gave enough whoops and cheers to prove that they were most definitely ready for the main performance of the evening.

Frightened Rabbit/Scott Hutchison gig review to follow...

Everywhere you go- Saraseto Records

I was wanting to write a blog on the album launch by Saraseto Records for their debut compilation album Everywhere you go. It's tonight in Stereo in Glasgow, or if you're an east coaster there's one in Edinburgh's Sneaky Pete's tomorrow evening.

I was sent through the album last week and was pleasantly surprised by the vast variety of artists, both familiar and sparklingly new.

As I was saying- I was wanting to write a blog on the album and the launch, but alas I made the worst mistake a blogger could make... I read somebody else's blog about it before I wrote my own.

So instead of me stringing together paragraphs that I'd spend hours dithering over their originality and intertextuality, I thought I'd just put a link to said blog, as it's actually very good!

http://www.isthismusic.com/various-artists-25

In brief, the album's great and I'm excited to see what the label bring to our attention next!

For more information check out Saraseto's website: www.sarasetorecords.com

Admiral Fallow

The Arches- 02.03.11

I wanted to love it. Really I did. But alas, it was not to be.

Being 5”1 at a gig is always awkwardly difficult at the best of time, but the flat floor and long tunnel of the gig set up in The Arches meant that I spent most of the gig looking at the checked shirt of the man on front of me. And it wasn’t just me; the crowd echoed with mumbles of “Can you see?” As they opened with the quietly beautiful Dead Leg, Louis lyrics were drowned out by mumbles of “shhhhhh” and “I can’t see shit!”

 I think this had a lot to do with why I didn’t love the gig. 

Now don’t get me wrong, Admiral Fallow are a spectacular band. Louis’s vocals and lyrics combined are just mesmerising. My friend once described his tones as a rich ale, and I think that describes it perfectly; warming, soothing but at the same time, beautifully dark and slightly chilling. And with Sarah’s hauntingly eerie backing vocals, they compliment each other beautifully.

Their music is so well thought out; the seemingly effortless harmonising acapella moments, the brilliantly dramatic crescendos with so many instruments it’s sometimes hard to know where one sound ends and the other begins. They are all clearly incredibly talented musicians and work so well together as a band to create truly beautiful music.

Admiral Fallow’s performance was perfect; especially as their lead singer Louis hadn’t been feeling well. If he hadn’t of mentioned it, you wouldn’t have known as his vocals were flawless.

But the audience, they just didn’t… wouldn’t give the band the attention that they deserved. And I think a lot of this had to do with the fact that they couldn’t actually see the band. I especially, even with my fan status, really struggled to concentrate. This was again emphasised by the incredibly long pauses between songs. It became very easy to chat to friends or make that lengthy and troublesome trek to the bar.

To be fair, there was prominently more head bopping during their new songs The Paper Trench and The Way you were raised, with the upbeat rhythm and fluttering flute, but there wasn’t a strong crowd reaction until the last song of their set, and the most famous- Squealing Pigs.

Oddly though, despite the audiences seemingly nonchalant attitude throughout the gig, when the band left the stage the cramped tunnel of the Arches was filled with the chant of “one more tune!”

And Louis did not fail to provide the audience with what they wanted.

He came on and did an unexpected cover of Elbow’s Switching Off, followed by a audience lead rendition of “Happy Birthday” for his girlfriend, Kirsty.

Finishing on Old Ballons, the band and the audience gave it their all for the final number. I just really wish the audience had that enthusiasm at the start, rather than at the final hurdle.

On the whole, I would have loved the gig if it had been in a room full of short fans like myself, who would be willing to give the band the support and admiration that they deserve. But alas, that was not the case, and so I left disappointed and with a crick in my neck.

Sorry about the exceptionally blurry pictures! 

I, my camera and even my back up I-phone camera struggled to see! 

The Xcerts

King Tuts Wah Wah Hut 27/02/11

“We’re so glad to be back in Glasgow.”

Well Murray, Jordan, Tom, collectively known as The Xcerts, it’s great to have you back.

At their anticipated return to Scotland after a stint in the States, and predominately south of the border gig venues, the boys opened crashing and banging with Slackerpop, Gum and Scatterbrain; three standout, rocking tracks from their most recent album, Scatterbrain.

They then eased into some of the songs off of their first album, In the Cold Wind we Smile, including Crisis in the Slow Lane and Do You Feel Safe?

In an interview with Murray, the band’s lead singer, in November when they were last in Glasgow, he described their first album as a “photo album; a collection of memories put down in music.” It’s always nice to hear where a band’s come from. Especially with a band like The Xcerts who have developed and grown dramatically from their first, to second, album.

There was a healthy and strong mix of the old and the new, entertaining both the long term fans such as myself and the crowd I was with, including one guy who remembered them playing in Aberdeen pre-first-single, Crisis in the Slow Lane, and the new fans who were drawn in by the band’s darker, moodier and heavier second album.

Finishing their, what I would complain as being a terribly short set, with Young, He sinks, he sleeps, and echoing away with Hurt With Me, The Xcerts suitably displayed their gutsy, raw, rock music with their fragile and haunting lyrics with vocals that swayed perfectly and melodically between the two.

Also- I bought my first band poster in thirteen years.

This clearly means they are a truly spectacular band as the last band poster I purchased was when I was eight, and it was of the Spice Girls.

I’d like to think a limited edition print from a relatively underground Scottish Rock band is just marginally cooler than one of Geri in that Union Jack dress… I’ll keep a hold of them both all the same.

Scottish Alternative Music Awards

Classic Grand, Glasgow  25/02/11

The Scottish Alternative Music Awards clearly stands predominantly in the Scottish music scene; it independently recognises bands and artists who don’t normally get the spot light they deserve.

The night was hosted by comedian Billy Kirkwood; his flowing ginger mane was accompanied by BBC Radio Scotland d.j Vic Galloway, new guy on the block BBC Radio 1 d.j Ally McCrae, and Gary: Tank Commander star, Greg McHugh who all guest stared to present the night’s awards. 

It’s surprising to learn that this awards show is only in its second year. Why oh why is it only in the last two years that we have started to recognise the variety, depth and sheer beauty that is in the music that is, and has been, coming out of Scotland in recent years?

Well we have Mr Richy Muirhead to thank for finally bringing this recognition to our attention. Yet again, he put together the unique event, bringing to light a range of bands and artist from around the country.                           Billy hosting the show

A hand full of said bands performed on the night: Xavia and Three Blind Wolves, who were both nominated for awards,   Cities and Skylines, and last year’s winners of the Best Live Act, The La Fontaines.

Three Blind Wolves were particularly apt in their performance; after whipping the audience into a whooping frenzy and then gate crashing the crowd to perform their final song acoustically, they went on to win the award for Best Live Act.

Vic proceeded to give out the awards to Indian Red Lopez for Best Electronic and Alan McKim for Best Acoustic, while Ally graced the stage to give out the awards for Best Metal and Best Rock/Alternative, which went to Zombie Militia and Little Eskimos respectively.

Greg McHugh was welcomed to the stage to give out the awards for Best Live act, which as we said went deservedly to Three Blind Wolves, and Best New Comer, which went to the opening act, Xavia.

Ross Clark of Three Blind Wolves 


All in all it was a braw wee night, in all its Scottish shining glory! As I said previously, this unique event was the perfect place to recognise the great and powerful noise that these Scottish bands are creating.

For more information, coverage, and of course, updates for when it’ll all be kicking off next year, head on over to www.sama11.co.uk or follow the Scottish Alternative Music Awards on twitter @SAMAs11.

Bear Arms First Gig!

Pivo Pivo 13/02/10

I knew it was Bear Arms first gig, and I was apprehensive. The band set up, looking focused but nervous. The audience echoed their nerves; the crowd was full of their friends and family, who were willing them to uphold the expectations that their demos for Wolves and Directions had created.

It was about thirty seconds into their first song, Perfect Symmetry, I realised that my cheekbones were actually hurting from smiling.

The noisy collective of sound quite perfectly encapsulates how together this exceptionally new band are. The crashing symbols, hypnotic base and understated guitar riff, followed by lead singer Richard’s dulcet, yet not forced, Scottish tones create something that does not in anyway sound like a first gig.

Continuing into To Whom it May Concern, the audience were graced with more of the same audio bliss.

The harmonies between Richard and Keiran are so perfect and natural that they’ve either been practicing everyday for the last five years, or they have a natural collaboration that most vocalists would glow green with envy at.

As a whole, the band are so in tune with each other; they’ve mastered both their loud, gritty, rocky moments, along with the beautifully quiet and eerie moments in their songs. One of which that most definitely stands out is their cover of The Counting Crows song, Colour Blind.

Their penultimate song, Wolves, brought the gig back up to tempo from the softer interlude of Colour Blind. Again you could feel the excitement in the audience as they listened live to the talked about demo track. The whippingly fast drumming of the chorus along with the strong detached chords leave you with no option but to bop your head along in time.

The fans that they brought with them were suitably brought together with the new ones that were created in the room that night as they bopped, nodded and internally rocked out to the band.

Closing with the title track from their EP, Directions, it’s safe to say Bear Arms suitably astounded the audience with their debut performance. The collective strength of each band member’s musical talent and the time and effort they have clearly put in to make their sound so polished and audibly perfect makes them, as a band, jaw-droppingly, cheekbone-hurtingly and generally awesome to spectate.

Bear Arms includes: Richard Wardrop - Vocals/Guitar, Keiran Hird - Vocals/Guitar, Lewis Mcgourty - Bass and Ben Sneddon - Drums.

Check them out on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/beararmsuk

Or on twitter: @beararmsmusic