Twitter

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

NoMeansNo

Write something about NoMeansNo

NO!

The Vermin Suicides

While The Rolling Stones exist the resurgence of a classic rock band will never be something worth writing about. Classic hits performed at 50% energy with new musicians, extra backing vocals, extended guitar solos. You know it, you've seen the likes Meatloaf, Def Leppard and Bon Jovi. They're shite. It's gross. The difference between these and The Vermin Suicides is the songs they perform tonight have never been hits as they've never been released and rarely played live.

This new line up including Sexy Alec on bass and Paul 'PR Racing' Robbo on lead guitar has never been tested. They may all look like cover band crooners suited to whining away in a local boozer but on closer inspection here is a band performing their debut album with double the energy and stigma of teenagers.

When upbeat catchy pop punk / classic rock is performed this good you can't fail to have a good time. It may not be The Rolling Stones but it's better than a Bon Jovi concert.

www.myspace.com/theverminsuicides

Earthless




If Jimi Hendrix jammed with Geezer Butler and Keith Moon at the volume of Dinosaur Jr. in a warehouse, it would sound just like this band. Earthless are quite simply a rock & roll jam band. Lost from the first moments in a wall of white noise and emerging 40 minutes later in a sweaty haze.

The discipline of the bassist holds together the backbone for the drummer and guitarist to wield the power of the dead legends.

Imagining a 'War Pigs' style bass line that lasts the entire set and a dueling guitar and drum lead is mouthwatering enough but of course it gets a little tedious after half an hour of the 'same song'. Jazz and Rock do mix, but it doesn't hold the attention my attention. I liked it though.

Scooby Doo Goodies and Baddie

The Drellas - Scooby Doo Goodies and Baddies.

There was a time between December and March when this band had a different line up every time they played live. There were four consecutive shows when the line up had altered. They were 4, then 3, then, 4 and then 5, as we see today. It's only relevant if you see how good the band are. They hold the stage, rock the boat with a wild abandon for anything but dancing, look the part like part Psychobilly, part cast of Scooby Doo goodies and baddies.

Here is a band evolving with each live performance. Back in March they were supporting Goldblade and delivered a heavy set that rocked the art decor pillars of the Masque theatre. Si James' tenor saxophone rumbling with Phil Hartley's bass guitar and what seemed like a pure vibrating bed for the quirky jaunts of Tommy Scott's vocal and Ryan Clarke's keyboards to slash and stab through.

Tonight in the uber cool with more modest soundsystem of Mello Mello it's the balance of a mix that gives a truer record vibe of this band live. With that in mind it's exciting to know The Drellas are currently adding the completing parts to their new album 'Jukebox Noir'. If this has some thing to do with the laid back performance it's the band are all listening to each other, are aware of what everyone is playing and that comes from extensive time on the studio, where songs are truly written. Although The Drellas may be have played hundreds of gigs it is important to remember this new line-up is only on it's third.

Mad.