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vinylreverb open and their
lineup is a standard 4-piece, though since the band are from
Lanarkshire there IS a twist. This comes in the form of a trumpet.
Set to the decidedly punk feel to most of the material, - singer
Paul in particular is what you might term a 'lively' performer
- the brass is a fair diversion, and let's face it, and one which
could go a bit Chumbawumba. Fortuntely it works well and the
brassy tunes are the best on show tonight. |
| The Nova Express also combine
some non-standard instrumentation. Not the drumsticks, which
even when used in conjunction wih guitar are pretty much standard
issue in bands determined to somehow marry pop and noise. Indeed,
the Express' lead guitarist is determined to bare-handed wring
every possible drop of feedback out of his instrument while the
bassist perhaps sensibly keeps out of the way at the back. But
it's the semi-acoustic guitar which hides a multitude of sins
- one moment forming the basis for a nice strummy pop tune, the
next providing back-up cover fire to the sonic assault originating
stage left. The creativity peaks with their closing number as
a jaffa cake box is employed as an oversized plectrum (the distribution
of the biscuits - or are they cakes? -to the needy audience is
a fitting finale). |
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Imperial Racing Club are mercifully
still Punk Rock. They've not been seen round these parts
for a bit - they've been writing new material, and happily they
have stuck to precisely the qualities that have given their reputation
as the tightest most solid purveyors of 3-minute rock songs this
side of Hadrians Wall. Hell,, make that the Atlantic.They're
breaking in a new bassist and indeed he chips in with the 4-part
harmonies too. The oldies, thanks to their catchiness, are best
- 'Big Day Out' is wheeled out again and still sounds fresh,
but the new stuff - a couple previewed here tonight - could gain
the tag 'instant classic'. |