Lick Online - Live

>> Cabaret Voltaire
>> Edinburgh
>> Monday 27th March

Ok, Ok. Its not a Glasgow gig, but as it is the misses’ birthday on Thursday when the fantastic Fratellis play Nice N Sleazys on this wee tour, so I have decided to stalk them all the way over to the nations capital, and the Cabaret Voltaire.

I’ve been sitting here trying to think of a poetic way of reviewing the band tonight for almost half an hour, but I feel this review should speak from the heart. So here goes…

The Fratellis are f*cking amazing.

There. I said it. Sorry to all under 18’s who had to read that, but I feel it’s the only way to describe this quite incredible band.

It seems to me that this is Scotland’s (in particular Glasgow’s) time. The Franz boys came, saw and conquered. KT Tunstall managed to do not so bad for herself last year and Belle & Sebastian have spat out another gem with their latest release. And the Fratellis look set to follow as the next big thing from Glasgow. Having recently done shows at South By South West in Texas with a certain Mr. Zane Lowe, and had a nice support slot with Black Rebel Motorcycle Club on their Uk tour last year, the fanbase is sky-rocketing.

The Edinburgh crowd didn’t really get as rowdy as some of the Fratellis Glasgow shows I’ve been to, but everyone is impressed by some of the best toe-tapping songs around and even had a laugh as singer John joked around on his acoustic mid-set.

Give it a few months and it will be very hard to avoid the Fratellis. World domination may be just around the corner.

>> Joe Sach

The Fratellis debut EP is out on the 3rd of April through Nomadic records.

www.thefratellis.com

>> King Tuts
>> 21st March 2006

There is a mighty buzz in Tut’s tonight. Still Glasgow’s best room for live music, it really is at its greatest when there is a full and rowdy crowd squeezing in to get an up-close view of great new bands.

Tonight is fired up by openers Sucioperro. Boasting a solid set of jagged rock anthems they come across like Feeder living vicariously through Rival Schools. The band has a real camaraderie with the crowd and, despite occasionally delving into some matey in-jokes, they generally keep the place up and in high spirits. On the night they have cds and t-shirts aplenty at the stall, which upon their set’s end was packed with impressed punters. On tonight’s evidence Sucioperro should go from strength to strength.

Next up is the incredible Pure Reason Revolution. I’d heard a rumble about the quality of this band in the days leading up to the gig but I had no idea how great they would be. Boasting an epic and feverishly progressive view of rock they genuinely create music of as yet untold scope. ‘The Bright Ambassadors’ is one of the best songs I’ve heard this year; but apart from the music I was impressed by the use of a projector in Tut’s to make the place feel like some sort of space port or underwater cavern! Unbelievable. Their latest ep ‘Cautionary Tales for the Brave’ is out now. Buy it and buy tickets to see the Revolution.

Oceansize are continuing to carve their very distinct niche in modern rock. They are natural Godfathers to bands like Pure Reason Revolution and People in Planes who are taking their time to readdress rock music and make it fit into a 21st century frame. Playing tonight to a crowd on the verge of hysteria created by the wise use of support acts, the band kick out with a literal ‘Best of’ set covering their debut album Efflorence; their seminal ep Music for Nurses and their latest album Everyone Into Position.

The weight of brilliance they pour into the first half hour is enough to bury most bands currently hacking their way around venues two and three times the size of Tut’s. Charm Offensive is still a tune decades ahead of even Radiohead’s thoroughly futuristic sound (without the overblown synth tinkles); really something that should be taken more notice of by the music press and music fan alike. One Out of None couldn’t possible sound any better than in Tut’s tonight and the way it leads into the gentle wash of Music for a Nurse from Everyone into Position just makes you realise what a sham it is for a band of this quality and ability to have been playing the same venues for the last five years.

Do yourself a massive favour; get into position and support music that matters.

>> Russell Moore

www.oceansize.co.uk
www.purereasonrevolution.com
www.myspace.com/sucioperro

>> 13th Note
>> 21st March 2006

Adriana is one of many singer/songwriters doing the rounds just now around Glasgow and the rest of Scotland, and with her first album, A Thousand Lives, in the bag, she shows signs of making the next step. A gorgeous voice and a fine backing band behind her, Adriana has even had a few stabs at the American market, playing recently to the fine people of New York.

The music is definitely suited to the small, intimate coffee shops of the big apple, and the mood tonight doesn't really do her justice with the usual arse-holes shouting at their mates when standing 2 centimetres away. However, Adriana gives it her all, with title track from the album being the stand-out track.

Catch Adriana live, warming hearts near you throughout April and May.

>> Joe Sach

www.adriana-music.com

>> with City, The Low Miffs & Kays Lavelle
>> Stereo
>> 20th March 2006

I feel a bit out of place in Stereo tonight without my wooly jumper or scarf as it seems to be an un-written rule to dress like a grandpa if your from the West End. Struck Dum promotions are the bright sparks behind tonight's line up, and first up are the Kays Lavelle.

Sounding and looking remarkably like Athlete, the influences are obvious, as the band could fit nicely in between Coldplay and Morning Runner on a Sunday afternoon compilation album. However, the band do have some lovely songs and are so incredibly humble and appreciative of the listening audience that they are a pleasure to watch.

And so to the Low Miffs, who up the tempo with some cracking tunes and bags of energy. Dressed in suits and smart shoes, the Low Miffs bound around the stage like Franz on speed, and lead singer Leo Condie owns the stage with some fabulous, over-the-top, dramatic dancing. The tunes are catchy and tight as hell, and as they leave the stage, everyone in the room seems to be curious as to why they weren't headlining.

Final rockin' 4-piece City certainly look the part, but the opening few songs fail to keep the crowd on the high left by the previous strummers, and some folk even look slightly.... (wait for it)... Miffed. (See what I did there?).

A grand night however, and Struck Dum seem to have a knack of creating smashing nights like this with some great bands. If your in a band, get your Cd to 'em now!

>> Joe Sach

www.myspace.com/struckdumrecords
www.myspace.com/thelowmiffs

>> CCA - Student Network Night
>> 10th March 2006

People seem to have a love/hate relationship with students. To one man they can be a pain in the ass who seem to get everything cheaper than everybody else, but tonight this is a showcase networking event that actually show students who work hard and are the future of the music business.

The fine people at Electric Honey Records (Stow College's label) are in attendance, as well as Flat2M music management, Zisys live sound and lighting and former Bluebells front-man Ken McCluskey to name but a few. But I'm here for the bands tonight. A potentially great line-up which also includes DJ Amanda Brown spinning some funky-ass tunes before the bands strut their stuff.

The 88's arrive on stage later than Pete Doherty in a court appearance and kick-off with a degree of arrogance that even Jose Mourinho would be proud of. The thing is, Mourinho has evidence to back up his arrogance, winning over crowds with some great play. The 88's on the other hand, only seem to impress the hideously drunk girl falling into everyone at the front of the stage.

Song after song of out-dated 90's/Manchester-esque indie rock to be honest bores the pants off me, and I'm being more entertained by the drunk girl trying to keep her trousers up and her body vertical with extreme difficulty.

After some delay, Drive By Argument step on stage. There's not a lot more I can say about this band apart from the fact that they are getting better and better with every gig. Another fine, energetic performance is bursting with originality and once the sound man has sorted out all the crazy synths and weird noise making devices on stage the band make the night there own. Dragon, Most Guys Can't Dance and the soul-touching Lower Your Pieces are the stand outs, but this is now a band built for a bigger stage.

The congratulations go to student Gary Sharp who has put together this very worth-while evening, and even if stage times were a little delayed. So if the NME, EMI or DF Concerts are reading this, beware - the students are coming!!

>> Joe Sach

www.student-network.co.uk
www.myspace.com/the88suk
www.drivebyargument.com
www.myspace.com/magicboxmistress