Local bands!
Bands: [Some I missed] Columbus, The Subliminals, Panic In Style
Date: February 16th, 2006
Venue: The Forum, Darlington
Admission Fee: £3.50
This was a local gig I checked out after college as a friends band was playing, feel free to stop reading here if you aren't interested!
Columbus
The first time I ever saw The Hot Quiche Conspiracy play Columbus were supporting and to my excitement they played a cover of the mighty ghostbusters theme tune; always a great way to get in your good books without even trying. Unfortunately they don't play that song anymore, making them less fun. To be fair, they do try hard and they play their instuments well, even throwing the odd sychronised jump in.. but their bassist looks like he should be in a wannabe emo band with his bleached-blonde fringe, and they don't have their own identity - it's like Less Than Jake or Reel Big Fish, just another Ska band really. Their singer doesn't have a good voice, an instant put off when you're listening to happy music; his voice is more of a drone. Overall they are watchable and as I've already said they do try, ideal for kids who don't know too much about ska music, but when you've seen the likes of Streetlight Manifesto, Howards Alias and Lightyear there really isn't room a band like this to make it; there's too many other bands of the same genre making music a heck of a lot better. That's what it all comes down to.
The Subliminals
Slightly biased here as my friend Johnny plays trumpet in this band. He turned up late which is never a good start but it did mean they were on second from last and after Columbus where as if he turned up on time they would've been on before and I would've missed some of their set! Anyway, instant extra points go out to him shouting "Alright, Ste!" over the mic. Darlington has had a few ska bands, and towns near by also have their fair share; the most popular probably being The Hot Quiche Conspiracy. To me however The Subliminals are a better band than The Quiche. They're new, only formed last year I believe, but they seem to have a lot more about them, and they have the bonus of having a female singer which is always nice. She also plays the flute which is somewhat unique these days, it's refreshing to see bands trying to stand out and be slightly different. You can see which bands influence them but they do have their own identity. One of my favourite tracks by them is 'Finding Emo', the chorus goes "finding emo, finding emo rather pants!". So they aren't a serious band, but they're entertaining and although they're still finding their confidence on the stage, each time I see them they seem to be better; always improving. All in all this was their show tonight and they should be headlining local shows easily, and supporting bands who are bigger than the likes of Panic In Style. They are supporting Bullets For Broadway soon (ex Teen-Idols) so that's a start!
This band is also releasing an EP soon and i'll be sure to post links when more information is available. I'm also fully aware not a lot of people are into Ska music so this review will probably be shrugged off, but this band should be given a chance; they're catchier than the flu!
Panic In Style
I saw them support Buzzkill and Pickled Dick a month or so ago and they were poor although to be fair to them they were lacking their bassist, meaning their second guitarist played bass. Tonight, however, their bassist was present and although they had a more distinguished sound they were still very poor. The singer tries to be American, copying the likes of Blink 182 and New Found Glory (and failing). Their lead guitarist believed the crowd liked them a lot more than they did (it was quarter full for them, if that) and he was throwing lines out which even big bands can't pull off. It was painful to watch and embarrassing. Nevermind though, they wont be around for much longer, touch wood.
Columbus 6/10
The Subliminals 8/10
Panic In Style 3/10
Date: February 16th, 2006
Venue: The Forum, Darlington
Admission Fee: £3.50
This was a local gig I checked out after college as a friends band was playing, feel free to stop reading here if you aren't interested!
Columbus
The first time I ever saw The Hot Quiche Conspiracy play Columbus were supporting and to my excitement they played a cover of the mighty ghostbusters theme tune; always a great way to get in your good books without even trying. Unfortunately they don't play that song anymore, making them less fun. To be fair, they do try hard and they play their instuments well, even throwing the odd sychronised jump in.. but their bassist looks like he should be in a wannabe emo band with his bleached-blonde fringe, and they don't have their own identity - it's like Less Than Jake or Reel Big Fish, just another Ska band really. Their singer doesn't have a good voice, an instant put off when you're listening to happy music; his voice is more of a drone. Overall they are watchable and as I've already said they do try, ideal for kids who don't know too much about ska music, but when you've seen the likes of Streetlight Manifesto, Howards Alias and Lightyear there really isn't room a band like this to make it; there's too many other bands of the same genre making music a heck of a lot better. That's what it all comes down to.
The Subliminals
Slightly biased here as my friend Johnny plays trumpet in this band. He turned up late which is never a good start but it did mean they were on second from last and after Columbus where as if he turned up on time they would've been on before and I would've missed some of their set! Anyway, instant extra points go out to him shouting "Alright, Ste!" over the mic. Darlington has had a few ska bands, and towns near by also have their fair share; the most popular probably being The Hot Quiche Conspiracy. To me however The Subliminals are a better band than The Quiche. They're new, only formed last year I believe, but they seem to have a lot more about them, and they have the bonus of having a female singer which is always nice. She also plays the flute which is somewhat unique these days, it's refreshing to see bands trying to stand out and be slightly different. You can see which bands influence them but they do have their own identity. One of my favourite tracks by them is 'Finding Emo', the chorus goes "finding emo, finding emo rather pants!". So they aren't a serious band, but they're entertaining and although they're still finding their confidence on the stage, each time I see them they seem to be better; always improving. All in all this was their show tonight and they should be headlining local shows easily, and supporting bands who are bigger than the likes of Panic In Style. They are supporting Bullets For Broadway soon (ex Teen-Idols) so that's a start!
This band is also releasing an EP soon and i'll be sure to post links when more information is available. I'm also fully aware not a lot of people are into Ska music so this review will probably be shrugged off, but this band should be given a chance; they're catchier than the flu!
Panic In Style
I saw them support Buzzkill and Pickled Dick a month or so ago and they were poor although to be fair to them they were lacking their bassist, meaning their second guitarist played bass. Tonight, however, their bassist was present and although they had a more distinguished sound they were still very poor. The singer tries to be American, copying the likes of Blink 182 and New Found Glory (and failing). Their lead guitarist believed the crowd liked them a lot more than they did (it was quarter full for them, if that) and he was throwing lines out which even big bands can't pull off. It was painful to watch and embarrassing. Nevermind though, they wont be around for much longer, touch wood.
Columbus 6/10
The Subliminals 8/10
Panic In Style 3/10