Music Page
Drive by Argument, Theatre Fall and Acrylic Iqon at King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut.
Sunday 16th September 2007.
As I walked into King Tuts Wah Wah Hut, I was greeted by girls with bright pink hair wearing tutus and stripy tights, boys encased in skin tight drainpipes, choking on skinny ties, and everyone bar myself donning the obligatory hi-top converse. I was there to experience a plethora of experimental, post punk, indie electro goodness, all 100% Scottish.
After downing a quick pint I walked to the back of the venue, trying to ashamedly hide my K Swiss trainers. While doing so Invernesian four piece, Theatre Fall, commanded the stage with their synth electro harmonies and tight guitar riffs that wouldn’t go a miss on an early Bloc Party record. After a second pint, my legs could only give in to the bass beats of “Figurine”. Dancing now became unavoidable.
Next up were fresh faced Glasgow natives, Acrylic Iqon, coyly shuffling on stage before unleashing lashings of power pop, reawakening the younger audience; all of whom seemed to have already been enlisted members of the bands fan base. Finishing their set with a brassy and ambitious cover of Gossips Standing in the Way of Control, female vocalist and Glasgow Caledonian student, Wallis, proves she can match the endearingly tortured tones of Beth Ditto herself.
During the interval anticipation grew. Drive by Argument took to the stage to a rapturous applause, wolf whistles and all. Opening with indie electro anthem Sex Lines Are Expensive Comedy, the bands heavy drum, bass and electro beats filled the venue, leading to pockets of the teenage audience dancing like no one’s watching and screaming along, impressively knowing almost all the words. A reaction like this is impressive for a band that has only been together for 3 years. After playing tracks, like current release, Calm, and instant electro rock classic, The Sega Method, it’s clear to see you will be hearing a lot more from this band in the future.
http://www.myspace.com/theatrefall
http://www.myspace.com/acryliciqon
http://www.myspace.com/drivebyargument
Ruairidh Pritchard
With an upcoming gig in Glasgow in November, I caught up with Bobb from Aberdonian rock four piece, The Little Kicks, on supporting MaximoPark, Seinfeld and the Scottish music scene.
I read that you got your name from the 138th episode of Seinfeld? :
Haha, yeah that is true. It was our first drummer’s favourite show. He was watching an episode called “The Little Kicks” and it was about this girl who did this crazy dance. We like the way it sounded, and it just kind of stuck.
Having supported acts like Editors, MaximoPark and Jamie T, does it get frustrating still being unsigned? :
It’s really good to have the opportunity to support these great bands. Two nights ago we were supporting MaximoPark; it was like Jim will fix it or something. I think a lot of it is to do with our location geographically. If we were a London band supporting MaximoPark, The Rakes and Jamie T I think people would take more notice. There are just not enough industry people in Scotland. I wouldn’t say it was frustrating, but then again, ask me in 6 months time.
So to a certain extent do you think that Scottish bands have an unfair disadvantage compared to bands from London? :
I suppose to a certain extent, yeah, but it’s really good to see more Scottish acts developing. There are so many bands coming out of London, if we were to move there we would be lost, I think we would rather be the band that put Aberdeen on the map.
What do you think of the health of the Scottish music scene at the moment? :
It seems like the quality of the clubs and the venues have increased, but in terms of music production, I don’t like this idea of pumping out an album, off the back of another band, and then being forgotten about. No disrespect to the guys from The View, but I don’t like the emphasis on “post-libertines” music. It’s not like these bands are making music that will be remembered, they have no longevity. I would rather see a band producing work that will be remembered for years, like Paul Simon and The Beach Boys; an album that takes you on a journey, not a collection of songs with 4 singles and 6 or 7 filler tracks.
What has been your proudest moment as a band so far? :
Probably coming off stage two nights ago, after supporting MaximoPark. They were at the side of the stage and shook our hands when we came off. They were really great; I can’t say enough nice things about them. They signed a postcard for us and complimented us on some songs in particular. To be complimented by a band like them, a band I think are absolutely amazing was great. I’ve still not been able to get the smile off my face.
Where can we expect to see The Little Kicks be in 5 years time? :
Hopefully signed, with a very successful debut album, touring and seeing the world. At least that’s what we would like to be doing in 5 years time, and it’s what we’re working towards.
The Little Kicks are playing the Barfly on the 23rd of November.
http://www.myspace.com/thelittlekicks
Ruairidh Pritchard
Underrated Artists Feature
Ruairidh Pritchard
Psychologists believe that nostalgic people are those who are disillusioned with their current life, and look to the past for validations and memories of better times. To me this is one of their professions more accurate appraisals of human behaviour. I am by nature a nostalgic fellow, I’m either looking back, or looking forward to the future. Maybe it’s this part of my personality which is now saddened at the realisation of the fact that the rot has set in to my beloved Compact Disc.
I can recall reading an article in about 2002 in Q magazine entitled “the death of the cd”. All about how CD sales are slowing down and MP3 sales are on the increase and I immediately discarded the credibility of the article. I had no doubt in my mind that the music loving public would not sell their souls for a white apple.
When I was about ten years old my parents bought their very first CD player. It was huge and completely out of date by now, but it was a big, big thing to them, the first cd that was ever played on that machine was Brothers in Arms by Dire Straits. From that opening drum solo, I was in love.
It’s a love affair that lasts to this day with everything about the CD. There’s a romance to vinyl and I have a small collection of that too, but the CD, it has it all, the ability to have something to hold in your hand, the artwork, the thank you messages. So much work goes into even the booklet you get with it, the lyrics written so that un-named 10 year old boys can sing along to Sultans of Swing.
The white apple turned out to be poisoned for the CD when it took a bite.
