THE LAW + THE RISE + THE HYPE + THE RISING SIGNS - Dexters, Dundee 10-02-07
I arrived late! Again!! Luckily I'd seen the Rising Signs a week or so earlier and knew that they're now opening their set with a couple of shorter punchier tracks that really serve their purpose as opening tracks to get the attention of the audience before the meat of the set continues. That they do these shorter tracks with the overall sound and great vocals which chracterise this band, and make them work, is a testament to the writing and arranging skills the band possesses. So, I get there as the band are starting on the more familar numbers. Now, let me tell you - there is something purely magical about arriving at the venue, hearing he band on stage, walking to the front and immersing yourself - for there is no bettter way of putting it - in that dual guitar sound that soars from the speakers, the higher register lead cast alongside the slightly lower guitar harmonies but a veritable whirlpool of gorgeous guitar sound. In, around and above this, you get the atmospheric yet strong lead vocal, aidded by delicious sounding harmony vocals from the drummer, as the bass weaves a solid undercurrent as a template on which the drums drive it all along. The whole thing has this sort of yearning quality that towers over its audience as the songs fill every space of the room with blissful delight. They do a new number called "Dr Jekyll" which lead singer Frankie described to me later as "a love song" but it's way more than that. It's got vocal harmonies that stay in your head for days after, while that wondrous guitar sound flies higher and wider than ever. That they finish with a scorching but typically Rising Signs rocker, is a testament to just how strong this band is. Personally, I'd walk across a ploughed, wet field in wellington boots to see this band - never fails to impress.
Speaking of impressing, The Hype were just superb. There's a ghost of Stone Roses running through this band, and that's no bad thing. The lead singer is a pure Ian Brown figure, not quite as elastic, but not far off, and quite imposing, but with a voice and a manner that really fits the band's songs and image. The bassist looks like early Pete Way (bassist of old seventies rock band UFO) and his onstage persona involves playing the bass in every standing position possible while at the same time pulling more facial expressions than Mick Jagger and Robin Trower (old seventies guitarist known for pulling more faces per guitar solo than you could shake a stick at) combined. Besides each were two guitarists who handled lead and rhythm duties especiallly well, while the unknown drummer at the back powered it all along. There was one track that you got the distinct feeling took the Stone Roses "I Wanna Be Adored" by the scruff of the neck and shook it violently while pronouncing "it's not the eighties any more, it's 2007 - wake up and do something!!", which the track promptly does, coming out sounding punchy and vibrant but full of guitar finesse, languid but solid vocals and a perfect example of how good this band are. Let me tell you now, they're not a clone of the Roses by any means, but the feel, manner and magic of that band is present here - definitely a band to keep your eye on.
No worries about who to compare The Rise to in terms of bands - you can't! There's noone does it quite like The Rise. Sporting more or less hair per band member than before they played last time, the quartet sprang back into live action with a set that really rocked in their own indie-laced stomping fashion, but there's now an added depth to the sound. The rhythms are not as "in your face" as before and some of the tracks were slightly slower paced for maximum effect, while a new track (there may have been 2!!) revealed some neat twists and turns. "Black Monday", traditionally the set opener and one of their finest live tracks - among many - was performed later in the set and really delivered in this order, as it boogied its way to the heart of the dancefloor. But this was still The Rise doing their own brand of infectious songs in a manner akin to a modern indie version of the more boogie-based Led Zep with a clutch of songs that have you moving while at the same time would really work on album. A welcome return.
What can I say about The Law that I've not said before? In this case, actually, a fair bit. For tonight, The Law discovered the gift of movement. Never exactly the most animated of bands onstage, tonight they really threw themselves into it and really looked as though they were having such a good time up there. As a result, the knock-on effect onto the songs and the crowd was sensational - everyone had a great time and the place took off. Stevie on guitar was all over the stage while our fave vocalist was also roaming the stage with intent and a big grin on his face, something rarely seen to date (the movement, not the grin!!) "Strings" really brought the audience to life with its infectious chorus, while "On Yer Bike" (I think that's right) was greeted like a long lost friend and hugged with both feet flying, but the announcement of the forthcoming single, "Milk And Honey" was greeted with rapturous affectation from the surging, dancing crowd. In short, this was The Law really developed into a band, with not just the best songs in Dundee, but the necessary stage presence to take them right into the bigger arenas. You really get the feeling that they could be bigger than The View, perhaps not short-term, but definitely long-term. Here's hoping.....