How'd ya like them apples?

Man, it’s been a while since I reviewed a band or a gig or an album or even just talked about it to someone who knows what the hell is going on. It was nice, therefore, to have both last night, Wednesday 18th July, at 9pm in the Westport Bar, Dundee. Four local bands, three hours of music, two pizzas and one bottle of wine later, and we’re all set for a good evening.

If only that were the case.

It was one of those nights that, the longer you stayed, the better it got, but I really wish I’d turned up about 10:15 or so, because it was difficult to enjoy what happened before that. But first, a note on punk rock. Now, I’m not really into it all that much. I’m the kind of guy that’ll go to a gig and stand at the back with my arms crossed, tapping my foot every now and then and just enjoy the experience along with three hindered other indie-kids who, god forbid, you make eye contact with. Biggest social faux-pas possible, trust me. But when it comes to rocking the hell out, I’ve done my fair share, growing up with everything from Blink 182, the Offspring and Nirvana through to Megadeath and Metallica, and I can still do it, let me tell you. It’s just that I’d rather not, to be honest.

With punk rock, these days (and I hate people that elongate these genre generalisations to things like post-post-punk rock. Seriously, if we’re going to do that, we’re on about post^7-punk rock.), it just doesn’t appeal to me, the whole smash as many mic’s as possible and try to put your foot through the amp, even though it’ll cost you later. I’ll listen to it, but I don’t make a habit. So, explanation over, you can see my own view of last night will be a little bit skewed. That being said, there were some gems.

And an advanced apology is in order as well. Sorry guys, but the first two bands names have escaped me. Even though I had a hunt through MySpace to see if any one I knew had links to them, it was a fruitless venture. So, if upon reading this, you know you were one of those two, please drop me a line, so I can edit and give you the credit you deserve!

As is always the case with local gigs, they tell us we will be treated to musical delights an hour before they are actually ready to play, what with the setting up and the arguing with the venue staff over whether or not free beer is an option, it understandably takes a while to get rockin’. So, though doors were at eight, upon arriving with fashionable tardiness around the hour of nine, my friend Dean and I found ourselves just in time for the first set to start. And to be honest, it wasn’t that bad at all.

Like I said, I’m not huge on punk rock, but I wasn’t displeased with the performance. It was a little samey to start with, a couple of songs melding together without any real differentiation between them. However, diversity was not dead, and the quad-piece pulled together a last few rather hyped up and jumpy tracks to round off the set. The only pointers I’d have given were to give the set list a bit of a shake down, try throwing in a few slower, more mellow songs if only to show us that you have the talent to write for more than one, distinct genre. There was a fair amount of skill involved between the two guitarists, their timing and queue’s taken from each other were near enough to perfect and the rhythm/lead relationship seemed well founded. Vocals could use a little work, but then, so do most people.

I don’t get to bitch a lot. You’d be surprised, for all the snarky, sassy comments I make and the pointers I give, I really don’t bitch about people a lot. I give constructive criticism, that’s all. But on this occasion, I really can’t hold back. Second band, again, I didn’t catch the name, but who told this guy he could sing and should play in a band? It’s like telling a penguin it can fly, and to go jump off that cliff. The drumming was on time and barely held the performance together, so kudos to that guy and, though the riffs from the guitars and bass were primarily the same for every song, it wasn’t sloppy or broken, so that was a saving grace, I suppose. But the singing; oh, the singing. This guy should take up a different hobby, like balloon modelling, or sculpture, because the only time I’ve had a more difficult half hour of music was listening to the View desecrate the good name of the Dundee music scene. I pray that these guys don’t start stalking Pete Docherty, or we’ll be awash with more wailing over the radio. Practice, for the love of god, before you play live again. You cleared out the audience.

Which was a shame, because the third act were a breath of fresh air. Cole Appleyard (got that one!) are a three piece that have just laid down their first EP and, to be perfectly fair to Coop, Kieran and Dave, it’s pretty damn good. It’s jumpy, catchy, full of life and balanced, not too samey and not so diverse that you’re left wondering what style they are trying to go for. I have to admit, I was a little worried, because I had heard a fair bit about them and, judging from the description of their genre and style, I wasn’t salivating. But, though it didn’t make me want to run to HMV and buy album upon album of similar tastes, it was still enough to keep me in my place rather than leave after the previous act. I only picked up on one or two botched notes, both vocally and on the guitar, but they were quickly rectified, showing the singer, Dave, as one who knows his capacity, and is capable of controlling his voice well. A good job, guys.

And that takes us to the last band, State of Affairs, and again, I’d been told all sorts of things about these guys, good and bad, light and dark, sarcastic snipes as well as praise, so I didn’t really know what to expect when they came on, which is best, I think. Not having a predisposed opinion of someone is the best and quickest way to get to know them, and after hearing their opening song, I’d like very much to get to know these guys. Where as the rest of the night so far, as I’ve said, had been mainly punk-based, State of Affairs brought with them a much more balanced and mature form of music, combining some really mellow vocals with harder riffs as well as showing the crowd that they knew what they were doing. A truly commendable performance, I saw a lot in the set that I enjoyed and I will certainly be keeping an eye out for future performances.

So a somewhat varied night, in terms of everything from musical taste to talent, but in the end, it’s the overall picture that will out, and my overall feeling is that I still love the Westie for it’s gigs.