BITUNE + BLACK ARC + PEG & THE BOUFFANTS + INDIANAPOLIS - Doghouse, Dundee 03-02-08
Turned out that Bitune and Black Arc are two English bands who are presumably doing nationwide dates, with the former announcing that this was their last night of the tour with the latter, and the latter fondly proclaiming that this was the first time they'd ever played in Dundee. That the two bands ende up sharing a bill with these two Dundee bands in particular, must have come as some sort of bemusement to them (assuming they stuck around), as you'll now find out.
You see the one things both bands shared was a fierce intensity matched by a scorching power mixed with dynamics, about as far away as you could get from the fun and pop of Peg and the multi-faceted talents that are Indianapolis. That said, both bands were good, Black Arc in particular.
Bitune opened proceedings revealing a strong series of tracks that were quite solid, a box of synth and fx providing expansive depth while the arrangements were treated with dynamic care, so that the band would produce this immense sounding sea of riffs and texture only to drop back to something more sedate before setting the engines running once more, a sort of indie space-rock. Only problem for me was that, while I was admittedly riveted to the band as they played, absolutely nothing remained in my head as regards the songs, when they'd finished, so maybe you've got to work at them a bit more.
Black Arc, on the other hand, were fantastic. A sight you don't often see these days - three electric guitarists, plus bassist and drummer. The two lead guitarists fed us a blitz of sizzling riffs when together, or bounced off one another with blinding leads, while the guitarsist on our left would produce some searing fx as the other would let out a series of ringing chords and roaring riffs, the thiurd guitar in the hand of rhe lead vocalist, used more for extra depth and texture and to bolster the occasional wall-of-guitar sound that flew from the PA. They had a strong vocalist and played some seriously strong songs, again, not overly memorable on first hearing, but when you know that this band are very much a red hot cross between classic U2 and Funeral For A Friend, believe me, you'll want to give them the time of day, for sure. The vocalist had more than an ounce of Bono in his voice, although more full-throated, but with as much passion, while the two guitarists really provided both visual and audible delight as they leapt around the stage. If ever they came this way again, I'd certainly go out of my way to see them again - highly recommended.
It had been a while since I'd seen Peg & The Bouffants. Right from the start there semed to be a real confidence and swaggering spirit in the two lead vocalists, Janine and Kirsty. With her mass of hair and taller stature, Janine is a commanding figure on stage, while the willowy Kirsty now proclaimed a shorter, smarter hair style, and is ever the hypnotic presence, the band a combination of the hippie-esque looking lead guitarist Peg, the man mountain of a bassist that is Jamie, the floppy hat-wearing drummer that is Jaq and out-there guitarist/sax player Calum, spending much of the time with his face obscured by his forward falling hairstyle - in essence, a band with a striking visual appeal all round. The songs sounded altogether stronger than ever, the two vocalists really getting to grips with the vocal delivery and timing, injecting them with superb dual-vocal timing, spot-on harmonies and projecting them with individuality where Janine's vocal really lets rip while Kirsty's just soars heavenwards, the combination of the two perefect for the songs that they played. Then, of course, there are the songs. Opening with "Not So Hot", it was immediately into dancey territory but where as you might have thought it would be a tad cliched, they deliver it with a fire and passion that you can't help but get caught up in and leap about with a smile on your face, the rhythm section really pounding away as Calum plays an almost jazzy lead guitar underneath, Peg keeping the undercurrent going with ringing guitar riffing, the dynamics of the track keeping it more than just standard pop. One track saw Peg take lead vocal with the ladies on choruses and this was a powerhouse of a punkier nature, while the driving force of "Bini Boy" saw the two vocalists really working off each other to glorious effect as the song races ahead, drops down a bit in the chorus, then rises up as the band erupts once more, all of it, as throghout the set, both instant and memorable and, above all, totally enjoyable. Some of it has a decided feel of the late eighties to it, but not so much that you'd clasify as that, more just the whole pop spirit of that particular era. A seriously sultry performance of "Just A Tease" brought Janine out into her own as she really threw herself into the verses. What was also evident wa that the two vocalists are much more at ease on stage now, moving about more and really delivering a performance rather than just standing centre stage as they used to, something so necessary if this band is going to reach the pop heights that you feel are achievable. Now, this band writes good catchy songs that mix dance, jazz, rap, indie, punk and pop in a wholly unique flavour, but you get the feel that they really need a song that's even a cut above that - so what do we get to end the set!! - one serious killer of a pop song! A new track that's wrapped ina ska arrangement, it features Kirsty on lead vocal and is an absolute treat - one of those songs that makes me soooooo frustrated when it's ended, as all I want to do is hear it again, since I'd not been expecting something so hot. It's perfect for the times, infectious, a solid song, well arranged and utterly irresistible. For the last three songs or so, Calum switched from guitar to sax, a move that really works - when you can hear the thing, as, at times, it did get a bit lost in the mix when the band let loose as a whole. Special mention to the rhythm section who really produce strong foundations that drive the songs along but with a flavour of invention and not just hammering away on the same old dancey beats that a lesser band would produce. Overall, a seriously superb set that's just great fun and you can't argue with that, but a band with a decided commercial potential in an overcrowded pop world.
It was Indianpolis' first gig of 2008, their first gig with the new bassist and the first time I'd seen them for absolutely ages, having extolled the virtues of the band and their CD-EP, for most of 2007. So, even for me, what really surprised and delighted was just how lively, fresh sounding and vibrant the delivery of the songs turned out to be. Steve's guitar work really shone as it rang out as it should do rather than, as happened on occasion at the last couple of gigs, of getting a bit buried in things - this time it really shone, and that also helped in part by the fact that Andy's rhythm guitar backup also sounded a whole lot more purposeful, I think spurring on the lead guitar work to a tee. New bassist Scott seemed to inject the songs with much more of a punch while Twiggy as the driving force on drums, provided the engine on which the songs would travel. They opened with the lead track from the EP, "Don't Stop", and immediately this was just sublime stuff, for this is truly a classic slice of indie songwriting, the consummate mix of commercial, serious, repeat listeningpleasure and album-esque enjoyment, Steve's wondrously high register guitar ringing out of the PA while Andy's vocal was strong and totally in tune as the verses and chorus poured from the speaker, the song passionate and impassioned. From there, highlights included all the rest of the EP - a tight and roaring "Private Eye", the pop sensibilites of "Two Reasons" sounding a whole lot more forceful than on the EP, lending a much greater air of acceptability to the track which is a great example of indie-pop at the tastier end of the spectrum. But one way of measuring just how hot an Indianspolis set is working out, is when they do the anthemic ballad that is "Panic Attack" and here, on a good night, Andy's vocal really justifies a previous quote I made about him sounding almost as thought he's doing his own harmonies - and this was a good night, and then some, as the track flew out to an audience that was giving it their total attention, not bad for a stirring indie ballad. Overall, a really strong and absolutely faultless set, from a band who writes and plays great album-oriented songs, and if only record comapnies signed bands on the basis of album appeal, this band would be up there and how!!