Auto Rock
>> Capitol
>> 28th November 2006
>> Julie Agnew, Mike Play, North Foundation, Sneaky Pete
It’s no mean feat to lure me out onto the wet and windy streets of Glesga on a school night in November, but anyone promising cheap drink and quality talent (of the musical variety) is usually in with a shout.
Such wily tricks have seen Auto Rock (Tuesdays at Capitol) carve out quite a niche for itself on the city’s live music scene over the past months, offering punters the pick of the local indie rock landscape washed down with drinks for a quid.
First up tonight is Mike Play, with a heartfelt acoustic set that even succeeds in making a song about pigeons seem strangely moving. The duo combines some nice guitar interplay with Mike’s silky smooth vocals, creating the kind of soporific effect that banishes thoughts of the shitty Scottish winter while conjuring up altogether more pleasant images of lazy, beery summer days in the park.
As twosomes go, they’re definitely more Turin Brakes than MacDonald Brothers (thank the Lord), with standout song ‘Ride the Wave’ best encapsulating their laid back sound and style.
North Foundation are from Edinburger, but let’s not hold that against them as they seem quite nice, really. The spirit of Teenage Fanclub clearly inhabits this quintet, and it’s hard not to feel cheered by the effortless harmonies and jangly guitar pop. There are shades of Snow Patrol too, but the Foundation inject enough individuality to keep things interesting. They don’t have a song about pigeons though. Something to think about.
Young scallywags Sneaky Pete offer up some fast and fuzzy pop rock numbers in a nu-punk, Blink 182 stylee. Low-slung, pants flaunting jeans? Check. Dyed black, excessively long fringe? Check. Slightly whiny vocals? Check. It’s all well and good, and their drummer in particular is a real find, but I can’t quite shake the feeling that I’m watching some entrants in a high school battle of the bands.
If it was, though, then Julie Agnew would kick their collective arse. With a voice that goosebumps were invented for, words that truly resonate and a knack for mixing insistent, soulful rhythm and beautiful melodies, Ms Agnew easily wipes the floor with the opposition.
Opener ‘Bless Me Doctor’ gets right down to business with a blues inspired riff that has the Auto Rock audience’s heads bobbing like nodding dogs before the intro’s done. The song offers ample opportunity for Julie to showcase the sheer power and clarity of her vocals, ensuring the incisive and insightful lyrics hit their target.
In an age where Sandi Thom wittering on about flowers in her hair passes as social commentary, it’s positively life affirming to witness an artist who can be arsed making a point with their music.
A haunting acoustic cover of The Buzzcocks ‘Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t’ve?)’ goes down a storm while new song ‘On Your Way’, a kick up the jacksie to George Bush, is a sure sign that Julie will continue to eschew the easy route of lovelorn soft-rock ballads in favour of frying the bigger fish.
The dark edged, thumping soul rhythm of ‘Deep Down’, a lament to the eternal frustrations of communication failure in human relationships, gives way to the set’s closer, a soaring cover of Maria McKee’s ‘If Love Is A Red Dress’.
And then it’s back out to face the elements, the cockles of my heart fairly warmed and faith in new music duly restored. School nights rule, ok.
>> Annie McGlaughlin
>> 28th November 2006
>> Julie Agnew, Mike Play, North Foundation, Sneaky Pete
It’s no mean feat to lure me out onto the wet and windy streets of Glesga on a school night in November, but anyone promising cheap drink and quality talent (of the musical variety) is usually in with a shout.
Such wily tricks have seen Auto Rock (Tuesdays at Capitol) carve out quite a niche for itself on the city’s live music scene over the past months, offering punters the pick of the local indie rock landscape washed down with drinks for a quid.
First up tonight is Mike Play, with a heartfelt acoustic set that even succeeds in making a song about pigeons seem strangely moving. The duo combines some nice guitar interplay with Mike’s silky smooth vocals, creating the kind of soporific effect that banishes thoughts of the shitty Scottish winter while conjuring up altogether more pleasant images of lazy, beery summer days in the park.
As twosomes go, they’re definitely more Turin Brakes than MacDonald Brothers (thank the Lord), with standout song ‘Ride the Wave’ best encapsulating their laid back sound and style.
North Foundation are from Edinburger, but let’s not hold that against them as they seem quite nice, really. The spirit of Teenage Fanclub clearly inhabits this quintet, and it’s hard not to feel cheered by the effortless harmonies and jangly guitar pop. There are shades of Snow Patrol too, but the Foundation inject enough individuality to keep things interesting. They don’t have a song about pigeons though. Something to think about.
Young scallywags Sneaky Pete offer up some fast and fuzzy pop rock numbers in a nu-punk, Blink 182 stylee. Low-slung, pants flaunting jeans? Check. Dyed black, excessively long fringe? Check. Slightly whiny vocals? Check. It’s all well and good, and their drummer in particular is a real find, but I can’t quite shake the feeling that I’m watching some entrants in a high school battle of the bands.
If it was, though, then Julie Agnew would kick their collective arse. With a voice that goosebumps were invented for, words that truly resonate and a knack for mixing insistent, soulful rhythm and beautiful melodies, Ms Agnew easily wipes the floor with the opposition.
Opener ‘Bless Me Doctor’ gets right down to business with a blues inspired riff that has the Auto Rock audience’s heads bobbing like nodding dogs before the intro’s done. The song offers ample opportunity for Julie to showcase the sheer power and clarity of her vocals, ensuring the incisive and insightful lyrics hit their target.
In an age where Sandi Thom wittering on about flowers in her hair passes as social commentary, it’s positively life affirming to witness an artist who can be arsed making a point with their music.
A haunting acoustic cover of The Buzzcocks ‘Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t’ve?)’ goes down a storm while new song ‘On Your Way’, a kick up the jacksie to George Bush, is a sure sign that Julie will continue to eschew the easy route of lovelorn soft-rock ballads in favour of frying the bigger fish.
The dark edged, thumping soul rhythm of ‘Deep Down’, a lament to the eternal frustrations of communication failure in human relationships, gives way to the set’s closer, a soaring cover of Maria McKee’s ‘If Love Is A Red Dress’.
And then it’s back out to face the elements, the cockles of my heart fairly warmed and faith in new music duly restored. School nights rule, ok.
>> Annie McGlaughlin
