Pivo Pivo, Glasgow is holding a fundraiser for PIAS on September 24th.

During the London Riots, many businesses were harmed including Sony’s DADC warehouse which is also the home of PIAS’s distribution service for the UK and Ireland. This caused alarm for musicians and music lovers alike. A lot of people were questioning the future of independent music.

Luckily, with the help of the general public and Sony DADC’s effeciency, PIAS are getting back on track again but still need all the help they can get… This is where you come in. If you live in/around Glasgow, go along to Pivo Pivo on September 24th at 7pm. 

If you are in/know:

• Bands
• Record labels
• Record shop

get involved! 

For those who are music lovers and want to help out and be a part of what is set to be a good night, there will be a live room for bands and dj’s, the bar in Pivo Pivo will be converted a record shop for anybody who wants to sell music or other merchandise.

The line-up is TBA but we will of course, keep you updated. Please spread the word about this and come along on the evening. 

Sarah-Louise.

If you would like to get involved as a band, label or shop please contact Pivo Pivo via Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pivo.pivo) or e-mail (traffic.cone.records@gmail.com)

Introducing… Citizen Death!

Another band representing how fantastic the Glasgow metal scene is, Citizen Death have been together since late 2007 and have since brought out an EP, Generation of Digression. 

The talented foursome have been added to the ever-growing Mayhem Underground roster and from what I’ve heard so far, they’ll be perfect for it. They are tight, they are absolutely bursting with talent; each song is played with the precision of true professional musicians.

If you’d like to check them out, go to their Reverb Nation page (http://www.reverbnation.com/citizendeathuk) and keep an eye out for my review of their EP and hopefully a live review!

Sarah-Louise

Picture courtesy of band’s Facebook page.

Let the Music Do the Talking have had the fantastic opportunity to work in Glasgow’s Apollo 23 thanks to Jay B Promotions! 

Sixteen Fingers.

Sixteen Fingers are a band from West Lothian consisting of two sets of brothers and sisters. They described their combined tastes as ‘eclectic’ which made me initially quite excited; I thought they’d have some interesting variety and maybe even some original music to bring to the stage.

Unfortunately, Sixteen Fingers couldn’t have looked less interested, the lead guitar sound was, to say the least, uncomfortable to listen to and I was quite shocked to discover that they are at best, a covers band. 

Out of the three singers, only the bassist (who kept going out of time) was actually what could be described as a competent vocalist. The final nail in the coffin was unfortunately when Sixteen Fingers decided to cover Metallica and almost insulted them with their feeble attempts.

A poor, unoriginal band who seemed as bored on stage as I felt watching them.

Insomniac

Insomniac are a fantastic up-and-coming metal band from Glasgow, but one problem I always seem to find with them is their absolute lack of confidence which can be quite detrimental to their entire performance.

Just before Insomniac went on stage, I was asked if I thought that some bands do local gigs for the sake of performing with no intention to further their career. While I think Insomniac do have the capabilities to go far with their music, I think just performing to small crowds may be enough for them as well. They are so in love with being on stage.

Insomniac deliver a fast paced, consistently fantastic set, and tonight is one of the best I’ve heard them play but vocalist Stephen Steel tonight is out of time and it unfortunately hinders the overall performance of what could have been the best show I’d witnessed so far.

The second Metallica cover of the night, ‘Creeping Death’ is delivered powerfully and almost precisely. 

In short, Insomniac are a force to be reckoned with and show up most unsigned bands with the sheer passion and brutality that comes with every show of theirs. Always a pleasure to watch and definitely worth keeping an eye out for.

Sarah-Louise Kelly

(with the assistance of Let’s Play God’s Chris Clarke.)

For Glasgow rockers, there is a new club night as of next month. For those of you that are sick of Cathouse’s repetitive playlists, Classic Grand’s absolute lack of atmosphere and the Garage’s feeble attempt at a ‘rock’ night, there is now Uprising, Glasgow’s newest rock night, launching on August 4th in Catwalk’s new Stairway club.

Promising to bring the best of rock/metal/ska, Uprising describes itself as the ‘alternative to the alternative’. Something most of us have craved for a long, long time. 

So! If you are interested and would like more information, head over to http://tinyurl.com/6kdybs2 and I hope to see a lot of you there!

Sarah-Louise Kelly.

Mosh Against Cancer, Glasgow.

On August 20th in the Classic Grand, ten bands will be working together to raise money for charity! This is a fantastic cause and an annual event. It’s only £5 a ticket so that’s 50 pence a band, not really a lot to ask when you consider how fantastic the line up is.

To see the Facebook event page and get involved go to http://tinyurl.com/6xf6xxm. 

Sarah-Louise Kelly.

Colours to Shame are a Metal band from Glasgow- however, they may not be a metal band as you know it…

Their experimental sound sees them following in the footsteps of Dillinger Escape Plan, Protest the Hero and Meshuggah. I had the good fortune of seeing them fairly recently and picked up their self-titled EP. Their live performance was striking,  frantic, compulsive and convulsive entertainment- but do the recordings do it justice?

As its an EP, and Has only 4 tracks I am going to just take it blow by blow!

1. Brianpepperspray [0:41]- Letting us know what we’re in for, the band’s penchant for jerky “stop-start” rhythms becomes apparent in this 41 second introduction. Inclusion of vocals seems somewhat redundant.
2. The Crushed Ruby *standout Track* [7:47]- The track opens in a grand fashion with the guitar leads soaring. However where this song really shines is in the chorus, it is catchy, and a respite from the harsher vocals is welcome( not that they aren’t well executed- they are) It’s similar in sound to Buckethead, I find- and this sound would not sound out of place on his 2004 release Cuckoo Clocks of Hell, with it’s dissonant sections providing an unsettling feel. The softer interlude section also prevents this song from feeling overbearing and self indulgent, and the more melodic sections minimise the risk of people being alienated from this song.
3. Dead above Ground [4:14]- A stab at a more straight-laced modern metal effort, but it is not without its quirks. In this song, it appears to be less about technique, and more about songwriting, and that makes it a compelling listen. They lead guitar and rhythm guitar parts compliment each other very well whether creating a complex counter melody or delivering that all important rhythmic punch. I’ve never put much stock or held much of a candle for “pig squeal” vocals- They appear in the latter stages of the track, and I must say that this song isn’t doing much to help the case any. To each their own I suppose.
4. In Search of Sasquatch [7:29]- I’ll admit- the title of the song had me drawing breath. It’s one thing for a band to be able to take itself less seriously, but the amount of ridiculous, puerile, and plain daft song titles out there is astounding. Thankfully, this song -musically- is a good listen; it’s catchy and once again has the technical prowess to back it up. I do find the “stop/start” sections becoming tiring and awkward listening as this album goes on, it’s a good technique, but sometimes it just seems so redundant and over the top. It once again makes use of a clean interlude, but this one is far better utilised and appears at a more unexpected time, which is interesting. I also love the unsettling chord/ arpeggio choices, which create mixed musical feeling in the listener- it is also reprised in the dying seconds of this solid track.

In Conclusion:- The band have the skill, and from watching them I know they have growing presence- but I do have my reservations. They play tightly and show prowess in the demanding style that getting yourself noticed in this field of metal requires, but sometimes I feel it’s at a bit of a consequence to the songwriting. Showboating is all well and good, (and as a lead guitarist I can without a doubt attest to doing it,) but when it’s at the extent of being a detriment to the song itself, maybe a bit of pruning and shaping is necessary. I’d say they are on the right track with Dead Above Ground, as it is concise, yet still contains many of their style elements.Overall The Crushed Ruby Is a better song- but including two tracks over 7 mins in length on your EP doesn’t seem like a recipe for wide appeal. I don’t want to sound overly harsh, because there is good material here and it is worth the listen, but I stand by my comments here.

This band shows real potential, but it’s really important for them to use it wisely.

—Scott Smillie

La Cheetah is a small basement venue located under a cocktail bar on Queen Street in Glasgow city centre. Event organised by Neil Thomas of DeadDeadDead Music.

First band of the night are As Autumn Falls- who are reminiscent of scene/punk rock band Attack Attack. Usually I am averse to music of this type, and I do not generally enjoy it, but I’ll give it anything it’s due here. It begins energetically and remains so throughout, the material is catchy and  song structure is varied, often with a pop-punk sensibility. Lyrically, I cannot comment a great deal, due to the  frontman’s incomprehensible “teenage-angst” style harsh vocal, it’s certainly angry, though about what? I’m not exactly sure. When the screaming subsides, the vocals become the cliched and put-on voice of countless scene bands (regardless of their place of origin). The backing vocals are drowned out. The lead guitar lines are catchy and melodic but often do not cut through the mix. Riffs rear up in places that are clever, but they often descend into shoulder-strummed mush and exaggerated stage moves by the time the chorus arrives in each song. This band’s highlight was the drummer; his enjoyment and confidence was clear and obvious, and the use of trigger synth samples was very effective. Overall:- Seem somewhat preoccupied with “the look.” Strong in places, but quite frankly, I’ve “scene” it all before. 

Next up, Winters take to the stage, with a notably heavier sound. Also noticeable is a definite reaction from the crowd. Each instrument is clear and tonally distinguishable. The band have somewhat of a shaky start,  but their confidence and comfort grows as the set continues. The material is well executed, with this band’s drummer also making use of a synth sampling pad to flesh out sections and add introductions to songs (however one seemed to be a guitar line, which I feel could have easily just as well have been played live.) Vocally there are a few shaky points too but the frontman is charismatic and takes on some adventurous notes. The band are largely disinterested in the crowd, most of the time facing the drums and backline (aside from the vocalist) and I’m beginning to think I’m sitting in on a studio session rather than a live gig. The setlist culminates in a very strong song that they seem very much at ease playing, and employs an impressive split-second pause; a testament that they have over time become tighter. I was disappointed to see them leaving the venue promptly after their set- I find this practice disrespectful to the other bands playing and unprofessional. Overall:- I did enjoy this set, and would be interested in their progression from here as I do see definite potential. The songs are well written and performed well, but a step up in stage presence would be of great benefit.

Next to perform are hardcore outfit Search Party, and I am informed that sadly, this is their last show, because a member of the band is relocating to Northampton. Each member takes to the stage in fancy dress and/or facepaint. The left stage guitarist is particularly amusing in his oversized moustache, 118-118 wig and shorts. The crowd is clearly keen to party as when they start playing, there is strong stirring which later led to movement and moshing. Sound-wise, it’s similar to Cancer Bats, complete with angry snarling guitars and in your face vocal. The bass cuts out early on and cannot be revived, as such a replacement is brought on. Next to go a few songs in, is the microphone, due to over active crowd action. The songs in the latter half of the set are very strong, despite the crowd becoming overly intrusive of the band and one individual commandeering the mic and also mounting the vocalist. the same individual tried to play the bass and time wasting ensued. Still, the party charged on! In a way its rather a shame that they are disbanding. Overall:- You cannot argue with a rabid crowd- Search Party played well and their swansong was well received. Regardless of how out of control the whole affair was, those present last night will miss them.

Finally, it’s Breaking The Day’s turn. I am assured, during the lengthy setting up and ironing out of technical problems with the elaborate synthesiser rig, that they are an altogether different beast than the fare so far. They were not wrong, as a dramatic opening fades in, and the crowd are transfixed as the first track comes thundering in, accompanied by a music timed strobe effect. The vocalist is truly in his element as he moves with the music, which manifests as a dark, trundling brutal presence. The songs are driven by a recurring idea on the guitars layered on powerful and tasteful beats, washed over by the synth which fits each arrangement beautifully (as out of place a word as that may seem here) and makes each sound utterly massive. Each band member is passionate, and makes their unique, experimental and ambient style look effortless. There is also some clear exotic influences in some of the material, which kept me among the enraptured listeners. The set grinds to a halt in spectacular fashion and the crowd plead for an encore, something which the band clearly did not expect. They agreed, but had to repeat a previously played song as all material had been used. Nevertheless, the crowd positively erupted in response, chanting and clapping enthusiastically, and during that final song moshed like it was their dying act. Overall:- Couldn’t fault them. Every song was an atmospheric and epic triumph. Did not become stale despite all material being slow and deliberate as a ten-ton hammer. Intense.

—Scott Smillie

(Oh and PS readers:- expect a full review of Breaking The Day’s album Survived By None over the coming week!!)

Mayhem Underground (Clips from Launch Night)

Wonder what you missed? Here’s a cheeky wee montage of the night. Enjoy! 

Insomniac are a brand spanking new thrash band from Glasgow. Starting out in only July 2010, Insomniac are a band determined to get themselves heard and don’t do anything by halves!

Listing Slayer, Testament and Metallica amongst their influences, Insomniac are a no-holds-barred band who have been recently added to the Mayhem Underground roster. I wish this band the best of luck for their career ahead and would urge any metal fan out there to go see these guys asap!

To check out their Facebook for more info, music and news go to http://www.facebook.com/InsomniacGlasgow

For fans of

• Anthrax
• Megadeth
• Metallica

Sarah-Louise Kelly

With intricate rock n roll riffs, vocals laced with sleaze and an attitude to boot, Devour are one of Glasgow’s finest unsigned bands! Recently added to the Mayhem Underground Roster, Devour are set for big things! A band definitely worth getting excited about and listening to.

Describing their sound as “Black Stone Cherry and Shinedown’s love baby”, Devour are a trio who know what they want from their music and seem determined to get it and rightly so- a true diamond in the rough band.

I absolutely love these guys and cannot wait to hear more from them. To check them out go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/Devour/ you won’t be dissapointed.

For fans of

• Black Stone Cherry
• Shinedown
• Airbourne

Sarah-Louise Kelly.