DUNDEE LIVE - BANDS TO WATCH!!
PRETTY SPECIES + THE 123'S - Hustlers 08-11-08
Pretty Species filled in most kindly for Dead Earnest when another band had pulled out of this concert. I was sure I'd seen the band before, recalling a set as part of a Battle of the Bands at Dexters a while ago and not really remebering too much about them but, at the same time, always willing to try something out to see if it fits. Whether or not something like this is my 6th sense kicking in or what, I've no idea, but, oh boy, was I glad to have these guys play.
A Dundee band who I later learned had only been together since May, they opened the set with a song for which the first thing you noticed was its fantastic guitar riff as the song sprang into life. A bit remeiniscent of the Ramones with more harmonies, the song was delivered by a vocalist with the attitude and strength of early Bomtown Rats, with a diferent accent of course!! That cascading guitar riff powered by frantic drumming and pounding bass was the central hook as the song really makes you sit up and take notice of the band right from the off, the whole thing a bit like a faster version of seventies punk band Eater. The second track started with a more jerky rhythm, sort of skap punk but faster, as the song drives into a crushing chorus as the accelerated purch moves ahead. Staccato rhythms dive headlong into the roar as the vocals are now provided by the guitarist on a sound that is nearer to Dundee's Rush Hour Soul, while a lead guitar break briefly catches fire and the song ends, this time the whole coming across more akin to The View than anythying and seriously strong stuff. The 3rd track starts with chiming guitars over lurching rhythms then - kerboommmmmm!!!!! - into a surging fast-paced slice of View-esque indie punk with another strong vocal that's fronting a sea of ringing guitar leads and thunderous rhythms. There's an expansive quality to it but also this insistent commerciality that sinkis its hooks in and refuses to let go. A memorable anthemic chorus leads into a searing heat guitar break as the huge sounding piece roars to its conclusion. The fourth track begins fast and jaunty, a bit like Sergeant on uppers - in fact, it's seriously fast and totaly anthemic, a bit like The View-meets-Sergeant in a hurricane. The riff is irresistible, the vocal intoned with attitude and the song is a classic in the making and should set indie danceflors alight from one end of Scotland to the other as this gem of a "football terrace" anthem erupts from the PA. For their fifth track, they elected to go for a cover of The Jam's "Town Called Malice" and really nailed the thing on the head, turning in a storming version of the classic. The final track begins like a faster version of The Daze but continues in a harder-edged vein with some ace guitar lead work in the whirlwind of riffs and rhythms as the song veers from guitar breaks to raucous Daze-esque vocal to glorious effect. Although I've used comparisons here, make no mistake - this is an original band that, as you might expect, has its influences, but don't let that in any way inhibit the fact that this is a young band who can write and play with energy, passion, originality and make it all work a treat. Exciting prospect, for sure.
It was the debut Dundee gig for The 123's, a band who I'd only ever previously encountered at a huge Battle of the Bands final in Glasgow, but had followed their path ever since. That they played a really fantastic set to the small audience in attendance, was a testament to the enthusiasm, professionalism and energy that the band possesses. Their opener was a fast sort of twisted punk-indie type of song, sort of Grace Emilys on speed, the twin guitars making The Draymin sound positively pedestrian by comparison as the vocals really cut loose over the band's lightspeed rhythms that lurch along in a blaze of guitars and added vocal harmonies, the Emilys comparison really not that far away as it all twists and attacks. The second track opens with another rifle-fire of a rhythm as the song roars into life, the lead singer sounding strong as the extra vocal harmonies give depth to the song, as a sort of "anti-chorus" emerges while the guitars throtle down and drive. The song briefly decelerates with shades of The Draymin and Colour Coded nevger to far away before lighting up and erupting once more, very much a hi-octane version of the aforementioned bands but without the dance qualities. Track 3 is another fats-paced song, this time with a distinct lead guitar rining out over the top of the rhythmic thunder, while the vocals deliver an excellent song with a mix of pleadcing emotion and hollering strength, a kind of roaring in-tune angst that really delivers the goods. As the guitars drop back, the vocals and rhythm drive forward only for that sea of cyclical twin guitars to return as the song blazes to the end.
The fourth song in the set twists and turns between scorching, almost hollered, Lennon-esque rock-Beatles vocal over a driving Sex Pistols-gone-rock type of arrangement. A lead guitar break catches fire as the crunchy bass and thunderous drums drive ahead only for it all to drop down a notch to just the bass and drums, while the vocal lets rip only for the band to erupt into life as the awesome song surges forward like a juggernaut through a heady blaze of rage 'n' roll with scything guitar work to the fore. Onwards in unstopable fashion go the band and open the next track with one hi-octane guitar riff, a bit akin to a welding of The Brogues and The Draymin, that goes headlong into another gem of an anthem with Colour Coded tendencies in there to, as the strong and strident vocal performance delivers the goods with bite and strength as the band arrangement crashes and crunches yet maintains a flowing and irresistible thunder of a rhythm, while the guitar lights the way, the harmony vocals scythe into view and this massive sounding anthem of a track goes positively volcanic. Once more their tendency for dynamic brilliance comes into play as they drop it down a notch as three-part vocal harmonies emerge over lurching bass and drums and a low-down and dirty riffing guitar makes its presence felt, defying you not to get caught up in its wake. Song six slows things down a tad, as the vocals begin proceedings then drums crunch in, bass pummels below as a chiming lead guitar takes off above the roar, a feedback-laced guitar mixing in with the fray as the subsequent twin guitar attack takes off, an almost ska-punk styled delivery hurling the song into life. The ensuing cauldron of delights reminded me of - wait for this!! - a mix of The Getdowns and Grace Emilys, as the rhythm section firepower meets with searing guitar heast and three-part vocals before finally catching fire and thrashing away in a hail of guitar chords, leading to the jaw-droping efficacy of the final mix of rhythmic thunder, soaring vocals and deep, dirty guitars. The final track begins with an absolute melting pot of guitars, crashing cymbals and rattling drums before an amazingly addictive guitar riff begins as the blast of a fast-paced song is delivered immense passion from singer and band alike. A huge sounding chorus becomes the focal point of a red hot anthem that fires into hyperspace on waves of rifle-fire riffing, storming rhythms and scordching guitar work, as a lead break shines, the song climbs higher and a sheer intensity takes you along in its irresistible wake as the perfect climax to a mighty, massive and muscular set is delivered.
Two different bands, two careers - one old, one new - but two bands who, tonight, showed that they have what it takes to get themselves noticed.
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