Review By Gary Roebuck Photos By Callum Roebuck
With a gig you always feel that you want to have a basic knowledge of at least having heard of a band but to have 3 to add to your have seen list without knowing too much of them this was one I looked forward to and the fact that all had Scottish at heart made it more welcoming.
St. Luke’s, only a stone’s throw away from the “Legendary” Barrowlands was the scene for a co-headline gig between “The Pistol Daisies” and Scottish rockers “The Painting” with “Brenda” making up the bill.
First on the bill were The Pistol Daisies but I will start the review with the “all girl” trio of “Brenda” who were second up.
Band members Apsi on drums, Litty on guitar and synth and Flore on synth were a blast with their 80,s pop based influence of Depeche Mode,Cameo,The Human League and Prince to name but a few coming to the fore making it easier for someone like me to relate to.
A 9 song set taking songs from debut album “Last Night From Glasgow” was well received by the audience. Their opener “Foot Fetish” was followed by “Whore Song” each song has a cracking backbeat from Absi with either Litty or Flore leading the vocals before either joine
d in with dual vocals.
Mid set 4th song “Microscopic Babe” gave us a very “Cameo” vibe with Flore opening vocals before we were treated to “Pigs” which starts off with Litty singing and on guitar before the customary dual lyrics.
“Psychopath is our penultimate tune and with Litty back on keyboard the dancing lights add to the melody as the song ends. “Radiation” ends our 35 minute set.
Co-headline act and up last “The Painting” have a very evident Big Country,Del Amitri vibe throughout their 7 song 40 minute set of tunes taken from their soon to be released album later this year titled “Before the Rain” but that is not to detract from the fact that they also have their own unique sound with 3 guitars,bass, keyboards and drums backing the vocals of Ciaran.
Set opener “Don’t go crying Wolf” with its melodic tune, crashing drums,searing vocals and electrifying guitars set the tone all after we had been asked to take “18 steps in, let’s get cosy it’s a school night request” from Ciaran. 2nd up “How do we find you” opened up with some moody lyrics before we again had the triple assault guitars on our ears.
Mid set we get “Heart still Beating” a melodic intro and drum beat before the aforementioned guitar backing, searing vocals enthral us.
Title track “Before the Rain” closes this energetic set and what with the dancing lights, foot stomping backing guitars, bass, drums and keyboards throughout this gave me
goosebumps as the set closed we were asked to “let’s have the room moving” lights danced, The band gave their all one last time with a finale that could have lifted the roof off such was the power.
Ciaran on vocals, Jordan-drums,Johnny-vocals/guitar,Cammy-guitar,Marta-keys/vocals and Lewis-bass are tight knit on the first outing of all these songs.
These guys are a Scottish gem in the making and I hope to be around when they reach the next level as accolades will surely follow.
Pistol Daisies –
And now to the reason and the highlight of the night for the gig the release day of new single “Calling your Name” from “Pistol Daisies but these guys will not need any excuse going forward to play a gig especially in Scotland,s second city or anywhere else for that matter such is their loyal following and I,ll safely say this trio will be playing to bigger, fuller capacity venues in the near future such is the energy released.
Hitting the stage for an energy driven 40 minutes we opened with “Wolves” where the audience was asked by Belly to take a few steps forward that “we don’t bite unless you want us to” for a more cosier feel before 2nd song “Ballad” followed where we had Lorna singing before lalalas in the chorus had the audience joining in.St. Glasgow was next up Belly opened up this tune before Lorna joined in on vocals and we had the first real audience participation singing and looking around the venue had filled up considerably.
Unreleased new song “Jealous Babe” opened with Ben on crashing drums and cymbals duty with Belly opening the vocals before Lorna joined with both taking the vocals up and this new song was well received by an appreciative audience.
“Don’t say your Sorry” about ex’s and other nonsence had the girls having a cheeky allude to Ben in the background each girl taking turns on lead vocals before a dual vocal with a “Kelly Clarkson” vibe to this song which I alluded to speaking with the band post gig.
“Funeral Song” gave us our first torchlight moment which was accepted by the audience and added to the melodic chorus and a “Glasgow we love you” from Belly finished with dancing lights leading to a surreal moment with rising vocals and a drumbeat to back the lead and acoustic guitar
“Whiskey and Wine” with its instrumental opening before Lorna joined Belly on vocals which were quite rebellious were common throughout and with Ben backing on drums this was another highlight of the night with the rising vocals this song was received with warm appreciation from within.
“Crying in Marseille” was our penultimate tune and it was sad to say that this gig was set to close but seriously what a pair of songs to do it with Belly led off before Lorna joined and with dual vocals all the while the girls swapping lead we caught an astonishing “Chic/Nile Rogers/Fleetwood Mac influence – if you havengiven this song a listen then this is your instruction to “ we were then treated to a chorus of the “Abba” classic “Gimme a man after midnight” delivered note perfect before the song ended with a return to “Marseille”.
We were then treated to the first outing of “Calling your Name” and what a rousing reception this track got from the appreciative crowd, this song relates to Belly and a true story in Malaysia whereby after meeting a guy at a club she went looking for him to be met by sighting him “kissing another man” with Ben opening on drums,Belly led before dual vocals and with soaring vocals and harmony this song gave me goose bumps so huge was the vibe being released, Belly took over the vocals before the rising vocals and closing drumbeat gave the audience their last dancing of the night as the last chorus and dancing light show ended with Belly on here knees as the set closed.
This was one of those quality nights where you do not know what you are in for until you are there but I will tell you “Do Not” put off seeing “Pistol Daisies” in future as I sure am glad I got the opportunity and look forward with eagerness to see what the release of any new material will deliver for them.
Going forward I can’t see Belly,Lorna and Ben playing venues of this size for much longer such is the backing of a loyal fanbase.
Guys thanks for giving me the opportunity to speak with you throughout the night and I wish you “All the Best” in your future.
Until the next time – Adios Gazza
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