It heartens me to see at least 50 people paying into a local gig on a Saturday night in Glasgow.
There is scarcely room to move from the word go in The Old Hairdressers, which isn’t a surprise given the line up.
Lovingly put together by independent promoter and diverse music maker Kapil Seshasayee, this gig is a success.
First up is Codist – a four-piece outfit from Glasgow and the band effortlessly and creatively deliver their unique brand of nostalgic and casual rock, presenting familiar late nineties pop-rock Americana drenched in novel Scottish flair with effortless ease and technical proficiency.
Some of their songs have stronger emo elements that are countered nicely by increasing self-awareness; even the more emotionally laden songs retain their levity and sense of fun.
The band’s apparent influences shine through just enough to create a well-balanced and altogether new experience.
The first song from their new EP, expected in March, is played with a larger emphasis on vocals and is altogether more gravelly without as light a feel.
It will be interesting to see what March brings us from Codist.
Aberdeen’s Depeche Choad is next to grace the stage – or disgrace it, it depends how you look at it; they grace it as far as this reviewer is concerned.
When I heard the name I assumed there would be some element of novelty about this band, this suspicion is quickly vindicated upon being asked to engage in the Choad Salute.
With elements of Danish folk metal and traditional hard-rock woven into unabashed punk, and with a drummer coming out of nowhere to belt high notes throughout the set, Depeche Choad are highly entertaining and vastly enjoyable.
Some of their songs are hilarious; they are not a band that takes themselves very seriously in the slightest, whether this is a good or a bad thing is open to interpretation.
The third band of the evening is Bird Law, another Aberdonian band who have a powerfully dynamic pop-factor to their music.
Their style is very familiar and reminiscent, but still bold and fresh; they are engaging, versatile and moreish with a punchy and adaptable vocalist.
I ruined a perfectly clean jumper with my pint whilst bobbing along; it wasn’t even that full.
Headliners, Joyce Delaney is fronted by Chrissy Barnacle, who performs under that name acoustically, and Barnacle’s powerful and dynamic voice persists throughout the heavier act that is Joyce Delaney, whose DIY, punk-rock approach is punctuated nicely by the vocals.
This being said, it feels as if the music only exists to serve the vocals, failing in itself to live up to the high musical standard set by the evening’s previous acts.
On account of the emphasis on the vocals, the music suffers, with the drummer appearing apprehensive about hitting his kit.
I’m not saying that I require the drums to be leathered at full capacity at all times, but the band could stand to go a few shades dafter in musical terms.
The songs, the vocals, the on-stage chemistry and indeed the band themselves are good, unfortunately the delivery of the set is not as impassioned or as immersive as those of the other bands.
The Old Hairdressers is the perfect venue for this gig, it is big enough to accommodate everyone and small enough to be busy and comfortable.
Mr. Seshasayee is hosting Earths, Op and FRAUEN on the February 8th in the same venue and you can catch Kapil himself playing with Codist and Terrafraid in support of UNDO for their album launch on the 24th at The Hug and Pint.
Words: Paul Aitken
Rave Child 