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THE DOGHOUSE, DUNDEE 16-04-05 - The Wildhouse/Awaiting Exile/Secrets We've Told
Saturday night at the Doghouse with three bands, one seriously low ticket price and did we get an audience!! - well, actually, no we didn't, all largely because everyone had gone to a tribute gig for some dead Dundee guy - a good cause that I warmly applaud - BUT I WANTED AN AUDIENCE!!!!
Why?
Because this trio of bands turned out to be the wild way to spend a Saturday night. To their credit, each band played a blinder in front of an impossibly small audience, and for that they should be roundly applauded.
First off were local band, Secrets We've Told (whose CDEP can be found on sale in the unparalleled record, tape, DVD and CD second hand and local band shop that is Grouchos, in Dundee) and they came across initially a a sort of early Manic Street Preachers with some solid enough songs and good playing - but for the last two numbers, things got extended as the band launched into a couple of instrumental song codas, worthy of something out of early Television, only more far out. These last two songs, I enjoyed the most and while they weren't wholly my thing, they were good and I'd love to hear them stretch out even more with some fine playing from the guitar, bass and drums.
Second on were mates of Wildhouse and, presumably, Carnoustie band, Awaiting Exile. A trad rock quartet of two guitars, bass, drums and vocal, right from the start, they had the place jumping as this storming rock boogie style number opened the set and you found yourself swaying and swinging to some seriously fine riffing and solid performance on a song that announced that here was a rock band with bite and action. Across a set that saw the dynamics of the compositions rise from one crescendo to another, they delivered a searing rendition of the Guns 'N' Roses anthem "Sweet Child Of Mine", complete with opening guitar solo played by the guitarist with the guitar behind his neck, while the set closer was a breakneck rocker that was simply awesome, and a stunning set closer for sure, as the band positively erupted. Definitely one to watch, and I'm sure it won't be long before they play here again - be sure to catch them when they do.
Their manager whispered in my ear just as they were about to start the set - "time for your favourite band" - and smiled. There is something magical about The Wildhouse - something so jaw-droppingly amazing that I am transfixed to the music and the band from the moment that Sheila's drumming begins. Tonight, lit by a couple of spots and candles on the speaker cabinets, the trio of Sheila on two floor mounted drums, dressed in black and the two Paul's either side, proceeded to tantalise then explode. They gave me a copy of the set list but I lost it, but tonight was a different set from what I'd witnessed before. The opening clutch of tracks, were mostly quite short, with Sheila's drumming ranging from strong to wild, while the two guitarists poured out a mass of intense sonic overload and driving soloing, alternately riffing furiously before setting the guitars onto fx mode and all manner of gut-wrenching sounds coming out of young Paul's guitar while older Paul blasts out the solos and textures. This time there was more of a song content and it really worked - the numbers where Sheila and Paul combined on vocals, working a treat. But, as each number passed, you felt sure that the band were just playing with you - treating your senses to a glimpse of heaven as the drums blazed out and the guitars both caressed and assailed your head and heart. Then it came - a click of drumsticks from Sheila - and the band just erupted. With some wickedly driving drumming that was drug-inducingly addictive, the band didn't just fire up - they went nuclear, as the guitars spewed forth all manner of thick chords, relentless riffs and feedback-laced sonic attack, all the while to the sound of Sheila's ever intensifying drumming. As a set it's a complete melting pot that mixes Velvets psychedelia with Spiritualised sonic mayhem, Can's power of destruction, Neu's relentless beats and country music's caress - an immense tower of sound that has to be both seen and heard to be believed. Although a relatively short set - I could have done with another hour - it was just incredible. The band are on at my "Wild Night in" on May 7th - be sure not to miss them - you will never forget the experience.
Wildhouse Set List:String Theory/Bookburn/Ficca/Hand Gun/Saint Paul/Destroyed/Vanilla-Shh-Cyclone
Proof that you can't take a good photo of a singing drummer dressed in black!!!
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