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Indscent Exposure
Gig Review written by olibia
It was 4pm when the ticket table was getting set up. Sound checking had just started and less than 5 bands were present. The gig commenced at 5:30pm and >20 were there to watch the bands play (band members + family, friends excluded). It was really a pity because the line up was really good and the bands that played (the rest of them turned up later) were great as well. It was indeed, an evening of alternative assault. However, there was the usual issue of the soundmen not putting into their jobs proper; Bigred.Moment was asked off the stage before the inaudible keyboard problem could be resolved.
Chickadees
The Chickadees were the first to play and although the crowd was real pathetic, they put on a very good show still. Simple chords and strums and beats, it all somehow reminds one of how the Strokes composed their music. The set was not a least bit boring though, lead vocalist uses not monotonous singing, but different tones and emotions were portrayed well through that. A cover of the Cure was attempted and they pulled it off good. The Chickadees, I would say, composes generally good music and like most of the other bands, has the potential of venturing further.
Samanta
Samanta was the next to go. It was quite a while back since I last saw them perform. Playing what most would classify as alternative rock, Samanta had fresh and interesting arrangements; they had a style of their own. There were also, variations used by the lead vocalist in singing and that makes the songs all the more unique. However, towards the end of the set, the rhythm guitarist could not be heard whenever distortion from the lead guitarist came on. It was most unfortunate when his high E string broke.
Serenaide
By now, most of the bands had arrived. 4 piece Serenaide sounded as experienced as they are and they played easily with no hiccups. The bassist had really good bass lines as well. Here, the rhythm guitarist was still too soft but that did not really affect the rest much as the lead guitarist did mostly picking and used little distortion. Like most bands, lyrics are drawn out of issues in everyday life. "Won't you undress, oh won't you undress?" sang the lead vocalist, a song based on him 'watching a lot of porn'. Serenaide also did a Pulp cover and although their (serenaide's, not pulp's) music arrangements are nothing fancy, just simple and not very loud, they somehow still managed to capture the attention needed from the crowd, making us all (I assume) open our ears and minds to listen. Vocalist plays with different tones in his voice here also.
Bigred.Moment
It feels like their set gets better and better after each one. Bigred.Moment once again mesmerised the crowd with their dream bubble, colour swirling indie pop rock compositions. This time, a new song without a title just yet was attempted, dedicated to a friend whose father passed on recently. Being as a band for some years now, they effortlessly completed their set and probably enchanted more dream pop music lovers while they're at it.
Moods
Moods, a some what jazzy and a bit of blues feel alternative sounding band with a very impressive female drummer and lead vocalist, one guitarist and bassist, makes music a little too bland for taste. It was though, pleasing to the ear, Moods is probably more suitable for a romantic dining restaurant ambience. They played pretty well, perhaps with additional back up vocals; the music would sound better on the whole. What they need probably is more techniques on the instruments as well.
Sourgrapes
Lead vocalist sporting an afro, Sourgrapes played next and that placed a huge contrast between themselves and Moods. Sourgrapes was much louder and had an uplifting beat to their music. A strong vocal always gives an extra plus to a band, whatever genre it plays. It could have been the seat I was in; the rhythm guitar was still too soft. Lead guitarist makes use of a number of effects, creating a very experimental-feel to the whole set.
Tiramisu
I guess we were all expecting front man of Tiramisu to turn up with a body suit, but no, he was properly dressed for the set... well at least, for the first song. Many turned up to watch Tiramisu for some really good visual and audio entertainment that night, and we were not let down.
A bit after starting off the 2nd song of the set, he stripped down to a very attractive one piece leotard. Band performances are all about music making and story telling, both at once, but Tiramisu puts more emphasis on the latter than other bands.
And this time, the keyboardist cum effect mixer had a weird instrument (?) strapped onto his body. It looked like some sort of vintage effect mixer but I'm not quite sure what kind of mixing it does.
Anyway, halfway through the set an oddly dressed object was spotted loitering about the band. It was only later when he 'opened up' and started running all over the place, trying to get the parachute he was wearing to fly. It was really tough to concentrate on the music Tiramisu was playing alone with all of that happening, but it really was some effort, going through the trouble to get costumes for every other set.
Astreal
Probably the only local shoe gazing band around, Astreal had performed at enough gigs to know what they need to sound at their best. Reverbs requested to be switched on for lead vocalist's microphone, that being added on to the effects the guitars were having created a smoother sound on their music. They played well, no mistakes and all. Although only root notes were used on bass, it provided more space for the guitars to be creative on their parts.
The last band I watched to perform was Twilight. It was getting quite late at this time so a number of people left. Not many techniques were used to play the instruments but they have a strong vocalist and an extra pedal to the bass drum. Initially, the drummer sounded great but some where in between and towards the end of the set, he missed a few beats here and there.
Crazy man jumping about throughout the WHOLE gig
Rating: 9/10 (1 point deducted being the gig not starting on time) |
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