Sons and Daughters

Sons and Daughters
Glasgow SubClub – April 05
As the band continue onwards to inevitably bigger and better things, this free gig as part of a high-street stores relaunch showcased a batch of new songs from their forthcoming album “The Repulsion Box”
Given that there was a free bar, the crowd was in a fevered state by the time the band launched into recent B-side “Hunt” to kick off the show. The main focal point of an S&D’s set is the interplay and chemistry between vocalists Adele Bethel and Scott Paterson. Even when both are seemingly concentrating on their own parts, there is an underlying interplay with both seemingly fighting for attention. This palls into insignificance when compared to their due ting which can leave the casual observer unsure of whether the pair are intent on kissing or killing each other. Either way, it makes for a fascinating spectacle and is well balanced by the subtlety of Ailidh Lennon (bass and mandolin) and David Gow’s (drums) more restrained performances. The relentless non-stop energy of the set continues with a mixture of old and new which focused on more of the quicker tempo of the bands output.
As with any corporate event, the crowd mixture is a bit more skewed than normal, however a sizeable pro S&D’s fanbase had managed to obtain tickets and this was borne out by the welcome given to forthcoming single “Dance Me In” Already a live favourite, the song has been kicking about gigs since last summer and features the quick shuffle dark country sound that the band has created around them. The hook of the song comes in its “oh woah-oh –woah-oh” backing vocals which are sure to become lodged in the brain of listeners when its releases proper in May.
Playing recent single “Johnny Cash” as early as third in their set indicates a confidence in the new material and any uninitiated observer would not have been let down by the material. One of the new songs “Medicine” features unrelenting rhythms and is reminiscent of a cross between “Yummy yummy yummy” and “Turning Japanese” – amazingly, because I wouldn’t recommend they songs to anyone but the track is certain to excel as the opening track on the forthcoming album.
At the end of the set, it was clear that the band had enjoyed themselves as much as the crowd as when the lights came up, the beaming smiles of the band were evident for all to see. And given a recent interview with Adele stated her dislike of “Polyphonic Spree and all things musically happy” this wasn’t a sight that had been too common at a Sons & Daughters gig. With every passing gig, it’s becoming obvious that the band is well on the way to being a major indie-level act, if not, cross over potential. (Andy Reilly)