Mandrakes
>> Nice N Sleazys
>> 28th September 2005
Devoted listeners to Jim Gellatly’s brilliant beatscene show on Beat 106, may not need an introduction to this lovely 5-piece from the East End of Glasgow. Formed in 2002 and with more line-up changes than the Scottish footy team, the Mandrakes have now settled down and started to create some great tunes.
Ask any A&R man for advice on how to make it big in the music business and they will most certainly reply with the following answer: write hit records. Easier said than done you may say, but as the Mandrakes open their set at a typically smoky Nice N Sleazys, opening song The Camel Tree, suggests that the Mandrakes may have a potential one in their armoury. A brilliantly written track about everyday life, that lyrically flattens the mood of the listener whilst lifting them up with a soaring melody line at the same time. Aired quite a few times on the Beatscene, the crowd definitely enjoy what they’re hearing and even if the live show lacks a little something, the Mandrakes set the tone for a cracking set.
We Will Fall is another stand out of the set, with vocalist Gary Beattie’s very distinctive voice becoming more and more influential in the Mandrakes sound. Although the band are obviously a well-oiled unit when playing live, the gap from playing live to performing live still has to be bridged. With only bassist Alan McKechnie really looking like he feels what he is playing, there is a certain stiffness within the rest of the band.
However, I’m being picky and nothing can be taken away from the very strong songwriting. It’s just that so often with local unsigned bands wanting to pick up new fans, you have to get people to watch before you get them to listen. And if they listen, chances are they will love.
>> Joe Sach
On The Web: http://www.themadrakes.co.uk/ or www.myspace.com/themandrakes
>> 28th September 2005
Devoted listeners to Jim Gellatly’s brilliant beatscene show on Beat 106, may not need an introduction to this lovely 5-piece from the East End of Glasgow. Formed in 2002 and with more line-up changes than the Scottish footy team, the Mandrakes have now settled down and started to create some great tunes.
Ask any A&R man for advice on how to make it big in the music business and they will most certainly reply with the following answer: write hit records. Easier said than done you may say, but as the Mandrakes open their set at a typically smoky Nice N Sleazys, opening song The Camel Tree, suggests that the Mandrakes may have a potential one in their armoury. A brilliantly written track about everyday life, that lyrically flattens the mood of the listener whilst lifting them up with a soaring melody line at the same time. Aired quite a few times on the Beatscene, the crowd definitely enjoy what they’re hearing and even if the live show lacks a little something, the Mandrakes set the tone for a cracking set.
We Will Fall is another stand out of the set, with vocalist Gary Beattie’s very distinctive voice becoming more and more influential in the Mandrakes sound. Although the band are obviously a well-oiled unit when playing live, the gap from playing live to performing live still has to be bridged. With only bassist Alan McKechnie really looking like he feels what he is playing, there is a certain stiffness within the rest of the band.
However, I’m being picky and nothing can be taken away from the very strong songwriting. It’s just that so often with local unsigned bands wanting to pick up new fans, you have to get people to watch before you get them to listen. And if they listen, chances are they will love.
>> Joe Sach
On The Web: http://www.themadrakes.co.uk/ or www.myspace.com/themandrakes
