DundeeDUNDEE LIVE - BANDS TO WATCH!!
MEERKAT, Edinburgh 12-04: HENNISI (+ Nicotine Fingers)
Tonight Hennisi were on first - and things were a little different. Instead of the usual set opener, with those massive drum beats courtesy of Cath, we heard a more brooding, slower opening track, to introduce a whole new audience to the delights of Dundee's leading indie band, in a more controlled fashion. So, while the band was slowly firing up, vocalist Don was firing on all cylinders right from the word go, and while the sound dictated that you couldn't exactly make out every word that he sanf, that soaring, full-throated, singing hurricane that is Don, was out on top as the band began their assault. As the set continued, through epic performances of tracks such as the addictive and fiery "Schizo Bomb" (I really MUST ask them for a set list next time around), the baqnd simply powered up and the dynamics became more pronounced as the charge began. Intensity in nuclear doses was the flavour on offer tonight as Cath hammered away on drums, clearly relishing the opportunity to create those huge Krautrock-esque beats and rhythms provided by the larger kit, while Martin's bass just pounded out its complexities and driving chords to perfection. But, in a sense, the night belonged to Micahel, the guitarist. Almost becoming Dundee's answer to Bob Fripp, he stood there watching, almost telepathically marshalling, the others with chords that simply added to the overall sonic expansion that the band was creating, and then suddenly, out of nowhere, he would erupt with a seriously wild guitar lead that would cut through the piece just superbly, as you stood there open-mouthed at what you were hearing. The soloing was economical and all the more effective for it, although a longer set would no doubt provide more of it. Yet, to be fair, this was a unique sounding Indie band delivering their songs with absolute passion, Don's vocals so intense and yet so dynamic, the slight lack of clairty only adding to the overall density of the band as they charged forward and climbed ever higher. Yet again, you listen to what they play and lament that if only they could get a prestige gig at one of the festivals such as "T In The Park" or "Glastonbury" that they would wow so many people it'd be untrue. Possibly the most unique Indie band around, there's noone that you can compare them with and yet they have the material, the playing, the characters and the stage presence, to be an important part of any self-respecting label's roster of talent. Next time, a set list and a detailed appraisal of the tracks!!
After they'd been on, nexct up was a local Edinbught band called Nicotine Fingers who were brilliant. A punk band firmly in the "who cares" traditions and sound of the mid-late seventies, they had two female singers, drums, guitars and bass, with the guitarists and vocalists chanigng over as the set progressed. Occasionally, one of the guitars would be out of tune, but in the ensuing punky mayhem, that hardly mattered. The energy, enthusiasm and vitality that the band spewed forth was just perfect, the fact that it was so raw verging on shambolic, only adding to the fun. Actually, that gives out the wrong message, coz this band was a playing, fun-time band who really put everything into their set and I defy anyone not to be leaping up and down and grinning from ear to ear when this lot are on stage. Performing what can only be descibed as jaw-dropping renditions of, among others, Richard Thompson's "Tear Stained Letter" and George Thorogood's "I Drink Alone", this was the spirit of '77 come back to haunt us big time - and we're grateful for every motherloving second of it. GReat funa dn I'd see this lot again anytime.
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