Gig Reviews - Jan 07

Words - Suzy Sims
Previously published on Native.tv http://www.native.tv in Jan 07
(c) Niche News & Publishing Ltd

PORTSMOUTH SCENE PROMOTIONS SHOWCASE
Little London / Dragon Eye Morrison /Five Mile Drive / Sons of Caine / Big Squirrel
@ Portsmouth Guildhall, 27th January 2007

Success in heavy rock music is directly related to hair length, or so it appears at first glance. The longer the better, of course. This is the second Portsmouth Scene Promotions event, and there’s a metallic taste to the night.

Sadly after being held up on the door we arrived only to catch the last few songs by Big Squirrel. The band were making a furious racket considering there were only two men on stage, one on the sticks and the other on guitar – I kept looking around but I didn’t see any hidden musicians, so well done to the pair of them for bringing such a force. The last song was ‘German Sex Tourist’ which was dedicated to “any German sex tourists in here tonight” plus a friend of theirs, if he was around.

“He’s in Germany!” yelled the man stood next to me. Big Squirrel finished with a crash and drumsticks launched into the air, earning them a much deserved round of applause.

We’d expected four bands tonight but Sons of Caine had been squeezed onto the bill as an extra special gift.

The alternative rock/metallers managed the impressive task, as my colleague put it, of playing in the same style but all their songs sounded different, something many bands fail at. They were very good and the singer really gave it his all. We scouted the room for their free CDs, but had no luck as they’d obviously been pinched by quicker people.

Five Mile Drive was next. They sounded slightly more commercial and the vocalist had a great style of switching between clear vocals and raspy rock. One thing we noticed was that the members didn’t seem to gel – one guitarist was spinning on the spot, thrashing away; two others were chatting fairly cheerfully, and the vocalist was striding around. One of the band managed a somersault on stage, which was a bit different and won him a big cheer.

The next band found themselves illuminated by devilish red lights and the smoke of Hades; or at least a very mild bonfire. This was Dragon Eye Morrison, whose music managed to tempt many away from the bar. My colleague took one listen to the introductory roar of industrial feedback and predicted “Noise.” “Hair over the face,” I responded. DEM didn’t disappoint, with some angry thrash (aka ‘noise’) rocking the crowds. Not being a metal fan myself, I have to confess that when they announced “This next song is about being unable to commit suicide properly,” I put my head in my hands.

Dragon Eye Morrison finished with a proper cracking cover of ‘Helter Skelter’, furiously tearing at it in a way Sir Nice of McCartney would never have dreamed of and which probably would have left him reeling in shock.

The last band, Little London, were the most anticipated by many. Recently voted Express FM’s best rock band of 2006, they played the Isle of Wight Festival last year so a fair percentage of the crowd had seen them before. The crowd pushed forwards and devil hands went into the air (either that or it was Happy Hour on shadow puppets). “Metal!” screamed the singer; “Let’s fucking have you!” and the crowd echoed him. Sadly it all went a bit wrong when an amp broke, then a guitar broke and then a strap snapped. This left their set running slightly over time with a huge break while they gestured at technicians and dealt with hecklers.

“Prick!” yelled someone in the audience.

“Fuck you!” retorted the vocalist.

I was forced to leave at this point as my car parking had run out so I missed the end. Southsea Rocks were holding a DJ set in the bar next door after the gig, which was a brilliant idea and saves a trek around Guildhall Walk.

It was a good night, although the crowd seemed strangely quiet for much of it and a bit more liveliness on their part would have been more entertaining and better for the bands. All five acts played well and are ones to look out for this year if you don’t know them already.

The next event is on May 12th, so keep an eye out for that.

http://www.myspace.com/portsmouthscenepromotions