Lick Online - Live

>> The Arches
>> Thursday 23rd February

Its really hard for singer/songwriters to get anywhere these days. There seems to be so many of them kicking around that unless you write a Babylon or a Cannonball its very hard to make anyone pay attention. Although No. 1 Son are a band, the music sits in the same bracket as the Finn Brothers and Damien Rice.

However, No. 1 Son are definitely a step up from your average soothing acoustic pop/rock act. Lead singer Paul McLaughlin has a fabulous voice and a friendly smile, making it impossible not to like them, and debut single 27 is cracking wee snippet of what this band are capable of.

The sound doesn't do them justice tonight though, especially for songs more suited to theatres or small intimate coffee shops, but its a great performance anyway and the lively crowd don't care.

One of Glasgow's most promising bands will be making small waves over the next few months I'm sure.

>> Joe Sach

www.myspace.com/no1sontheband

>> Idioteque at Barfly
>> Saturday 11th February
>> Photo: Bridgette Jamieson

On the grand scale of things, The Dykeenies are babies of the music biz. Actually they're more like a twinkle in a gorgeous 18 year-olds eye to be honest, with only 3 gigs under their belt and a handful of songs to their name. However, the Dykennies are proving themselves to be something special.

Gigs upstairs in the Barfly are usually quite weird, but tonight is even stranger as the place is packed to the walls. The Dykeenies don't disappoint though, and seem to be clearing every hurdle thrown at them with a swagger. Opening track Will It Happen Tonight? sets the tone of the evening, with the screaming girls in the front row almost fainting, and the A&R contingent at the back nodding their heads in appreciation.

The half hour set is full of potential hits from the art/pop/rock youngsters. One plus One, New Ideas and Waiting For Go are just a glimpse of things to come from this band, and along with their tidy image and star of a front-man Brian Henderson, the Dykeenies have the potential to be the best new band in Britain.

As the last tune begins, the crowd invade the make-shift stage and most of the band are lost among the screaming and slightly pissed fans. After a slightly nervous start to the night the band are now in full swing, and the only let-down of the night is that it didn't last longer. A bidding war from record companies will soon start I'm sure, so go catch them live before ticketmaster are charging you 25 quid for a Barrowlands show in a years time.

>> Joe Sach

www.thedykeenies.com
www.myspace.com/gofinfthedykeenies

>> Rufus T Firefly
>> 31st January 2006

The SBC are fairly new to this gigging lark, and it is so refreshing to see a band not taking themselves too seriously and having a good old fasion laugh.

This is my first experience of Rufus T's as a venue, and can't have too many complaints after the free entry and indie boys SBC rocking and popping their way to a great night, with some tight harmonies, bouncy wee tunes and guitar breakage all thrown in to the mix. Ok they may not be the next Franz Ferdinand (just yet) but they are great entertainment value.

As a booze-influenced, half hour set comes to a close, chants of 'ONE MORE TUNE!' start to ring out - proof if proof was needed, that all of Rufus' punters tonight are loving every minute of the happiest band in Glasgow.

Smashing!

>> Joe Sach