Where – Stampers Bar, Hawick
When – Friday 31st July 26
Review and Photographs by Linda McDermott
You don’t have to travel miles or spend a fortune to enjoy a great night of live music, because sometimes it’s right on your doorstep. Tonight, I’m at my local venue, Stampers in Hawick, where 31 Days and Killbolt are proving exactly why supporting grassroots music is so important. With no tickets needed, there really is no excuse not to come along and support nights like these.
With a great crowd already in the pub, 31 Days were greeted by a cheer from the 60 strong audience as they launched into a brilliant set of rock tracks, opening with Show Me, which immediately grabbed your attention and drew you into the performance. Covering subjects ranging from serial killers and addiction to life in Hawick, their lyrics gave the audience plenty to think about while keeping them fully engaged.
The band, consisting of Paul McDonald on guitar, Doug Anderson on vocals and guitar, Matt Finnie on drums and Roy Cook on bass, lifted the room from that first song. The rhythm section kept everything driving along while the guitars added plenty of punch, with Doug’s vocals sitting comfortably over the top. They sounded tight and looked like they were enjoying every minute of it. It was also good to see such a wide age range in the audience enjoying live rock music.
After a swift changeover, the stage was ready for Killbolt, although I had to do a treble take as they looked strangely familiar. That was because three members of 31 Days were still on stage and ready for another round of music. But first a little background information on the band.
Killbolt formed in 2023 when Doug Anderson, vocals, and guitar, Greig Mitchell on guitar and Matt Finnie on drums were looking for a bass player to complete the line-up. They called Roy Cook, who wasn’t really interested at first but agreed to go along for a jam anyway. After they played just two songs to him, he was hooked.
Their influences come from different directions, with Roy and Doug coming from a rock and punk background while Matt and Greig add a more heavier rock edge.
With that combination of influences, Killbolt have a great sound. It’s heavy and hard in places, with little rough edges that will please the punks. It’s an eclectic mix of gutsy guitars, strong melodies and melancholic lyrics that build with the music, with hints of Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin adding extra flavour without ever overshadowing their own identity.
For me, the standout tracks begin with the opener, Black Hole Baby. It has that Seether beat that draws you into the song straight away. The track builds as the lyrics unfold the narrative, making it a real head nodder and one that deserves its place on the forthcoming EP.
Then there’s Bad Start that has a feeling of tension and release running throughout, with the drums providing the background beat that has you tapping your foot along to its emotional tale. The guitars are what makes the song stand out as they take you on a rollercoaster ride of raw intensity.
The guys continue to deliver one great song after another, including new song Renegade, that carries a classic Sabbath vibe while still sounding unmistakably like Killbolt.
Then comes my favourite track of the night, and one that has single written all over it, Here Comes the Pain. It’s a fast-paced song where the harmonies and angst hit you hard. Looking around the room, I’m clearly not the only one enjoying it, as heads are nodding all around me, including from behind the bar.
They finished the main set with Powers That Be, dedicating it to a friend who passed away around thirty years ago. It was a touching way to end a great performance and a reminder that although people may be gone, they continue to live on through our memories and music.
With a five-track EP currently in the works, quickly to be followed by an album, Killbolt are clearly looking to build on the momentum they’re creating. They will be doing a couple of launch gigs before they push further onto the gig and festival circuit. With a website, social media and merchandise all coming together, they’re laying the foundations for an exciting next chapter. As Roy said before the gig, “By the end of the year we’ll really start to kick ass.”
With cheers and applause ringing around the room, it looked like the night was over, but Roy and Doug had one final surprise for those that filled the room.
Taking everyone on a trip down memory lane to a time when Hawick was buzzing with bands and live music venues, they reminded us of one of the bands they were in, Skol 1080. Launching into three songs, Whirly Vortex, Chuffed To Bits and the brilliant Pervert, it quickly became obvious that many of the crowd where around in those days and the words to the songs came flooding back as they sang along. It was the perfect nostalgic ending to a fantastic night and another reminder that grassroots music is alive and kicking.
So why not get on board and support Killbolt as they launch themselves onto the grassroots music scene by following their new social pages and website.
New Social Page
https://www.instagram.com/killbolt.music
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php
Video by UK Live Metal
Here Comes the Pain
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