The Stairway is one of those tiny places that unless you were looking for it and knew what it was you were actually looking for you could very easily walk right by it and never even notice. The spiral staircase is pretty, if you happen to be sober, but I dread to think of the potential mess that would almost certainly be the case if you were drunk. I don’t think I ever want to find out. The bar is tiny. Really tiny. And the place is lit by rows of lights flashing in red, green and blue, giving the place a scary 80s vibe. People are aware that the 80s were crap, right?
There’s not much time to get too freaked out by it, because openers Somatic take to the stage. Their first track is almost a throwback to good ol’ 90s Brit-Rock, and already it’s clear they care about how they sound, and they sound awesome. Their second offering is very similar – a great beat and a simple, uncomplicated set-up that’s actually quite effective. If only they’d relax. The music grabs your attention, almost without really trying to, but they look so uneasy it’s hard not to feel a little anxious yourself. The third track, unfortunately sound like a re-hash of the last two. By the fourth and fifth, it’s like we’re all on the same wavelength and they know it themselves, this one is a touch slower in tempo but it still grabs your attention. The Liam Gallagher-esque vocals are mildly off-putting at times but given they still have that 90’s sound, it works well enough. The question is how long will it be before it grows old? Bass-heavy and shouty vocals… Ah, I get it. “Atmosphere”. The rhythm is heavy and plodding and for some reason they only seem to go for melody when Mark (vocals) stopping singing. And then it happens… The Liam Gallagher-like vocals are starting to grate now and the music has turned into a stroppy teenager dragging their feet and refusing to do much of anything else, before returning to the 90’s sound. And I wonder if maybe that’s the problem. The throwback is beginning to seem more like a throw-up. Nostalgia aside, perhaps the 90s is where the 90s should stay and quite why Somatic are clinging to it so hard is beyond me.
The Snuts make me feel like I’m far too old to be in a place like this. They look barely out of high school. Their sound is upbeat, chirpy and youthful although it does sound as though somebody gave them far too much sugar beforehand. It’s kind of reminiscent of a mini early The View. Actually, it’s a lot like The View and not entirely in a good way. Something about them is rather off-putting but for the life of me I can’t seem to figure out what’s wrong. Unlike Somatic, The Snuts have gathered quite a crowd. They seem to fill every gap with noise. I wonder if that’s what’s wrong… Whatever. It’s clearly going to get irritating if they keep this up. Their second is still very much in the vein of The View only the vocals are now raw and painful and actually damn annoying which is a shame after such a bright start. The music itself is spot on but the vocals are a real let-down now. Insulting the crowd and swearing? That’s really no way to go, even if they are your mates. And then it all goes to pot… Like I didn’t see that coming. The whole thing has descended into a complete shambles. All that attitude, and for what? A few cheap-shot giggles with your friends? I don’t have the patience for this. To the bar!
The bar itself is let-down, too. Only two people manning said bar, the only cider they serve is Magners and when I asked for a Snakebite and Black (it’s the lights; they’re getting to me!) I’m snottily told they don’t serve it. What kind of bar is this? It’s a good thing there’s more to come from SOS…
A striking intro to ‘Today’s The Day’ of “Oooh, oooh, oooh…” Who needs fancy stuff and trickery? Certainly not SOS. Despite a bold start, perhaps lead vocalist Jonny Skinner could relax; he seems a little uptight and it’s constricting his voice. The music is multilayered, which, under normal circumstances might sound incredible – here though, the vocals are overshadowed by it, and it’s a nice voice. Fortunately the music is upbeat and loud – and damn-near flawless. By ‘A Challenge To The Dark’, the many layers have blended together to create one single, complete sound. Two tracks in and already it’s obvious that SOS are very talented… if only they’d relax and enjoy it. ‘My Condition’ opens with the standard loud, frenetic drum-intro. And once again the vocals lost amongst the guitars and the drums, although they are briefly in the foreground towards the end – perhaps a little too late. ‘Carry On Suzie’, the reason for the night’s frivolity, is a cracking tune! Powerful with a good, driving rhythm and clear, upbeat melodies that seem to bring together indie, pop and rock all at once. This time, finally, the vocals are at the forefront. Unfortunately, the brilliance doesn’t last. I’m not entirely sure if the overdone-feedback intro to ‘Forever’ was intentional or not. If it is, it’s a bit of a let-down, but it doesn’t last long as it soon gives way to the single-sounding multi-layers again that is fast creating a sound that’s really coming into its own and is something that SOS do very well. In fact, SOS are like no other Scottish band around right now and it’s very refreshing to hear. And now for something completely different… ‘Under The Moonlight’ is atmospheric and slower in tempo than the rest, and mixed with Skinner’s unique vocals it equals something altogether ‘other’. The rhythm kicks in and picks up the pace ever so slightly. I expected Skinner to relax by now, but no. He is, sadly, likely to fade into the background and easily forgotten as once again the music drowns him out which is a real pity because SOS really are very good – too good to fade out now. I hoped they’d end as they started – on a high – and with ‘SOS (Are Coming)’, thankfully, they do. There is some great potential here. I just hope that the next time they relax enough to really allow themselves to shine.
