KING THING + COLOUR-CODED + CHIARO - Dexters, Dundee 07-02-08
The opening band were Stoptracks, and I only caught the last couple of numbers, so there'll hAVE to be another time. A pretty empty Dexters attested to the problems that bands such as these, face - they don't have the teenies on their side and they're not yet well enough known to entice the older audience away from the Universities and television sets. All of which is a shame as each band proved that they do have something to offer that makes each of them worth coming out to see and hear. First off, King Thing play lyrically intriguing indie-rock songs with a falir for dramatics and dynamics, the short songs performed with pinpoint accuracy as the electric guitar rings out, the mid-high register vocal soars and it all flows solidly along, sometimes a bit like a more complex answer to The Police without the reggae influences, and altogether more twisted. Their drummer wass on rock solid form tonight as he really laid into that kit and really proved to be the driving force, performing everything from lightning fast rolls to straight-ahead rhythms and really giving the songs some power. The songs themselves are more of a mid-paced affair, occasionally urgent, and when the song dynamics allows the guitar to light up, the effect is even more electrifying. But, at the end of the day, it's tasty and it's infectious - but is that enough to break through? Time will tell.
Colour-Coded's brew of more rocking indie gives them more of an obvious edge as the songs are gutsier and more forceful, while the presence of two electric guitarists and a much more wall-of-sound approach, makes them a band that really hits home. The songs range from the more emotive to the downright anthemic, as ringing guitar chords surge rather than chime and this uplifting vocal is delivered with a passion that burns, while the rhythm section are crashing and crunching, driving and flowing at the foundation of the songs. The last two tracks they played were the best, one their absolute gem of an anthem, "Breathe", the other a brand new song that really was superb. With guitars to the fore, twisting and turning lead work, the solid vocal presence, and songs that range from good to great, this band has the ingredients - but can they find the killer blow that will elevate them? Again, time will tell, but do yourself a favour - go listen to the songs on their myspace site and see for yourself just how tasty, solid and emotive this band really is.
Chiaro headlined and this was a real eye-opener after the initial sighting at the Westie, a few months earlier. As I said to people during the show, and to the band at the end, they seem to be uncertain as to which direction to follow, as, to all intents and purposes, this was a rip-roaring rock band in action, that, at times, alluded to a more metal-based standpoint. This was primarily due to their quite awesome lead guitarist, who was firing off licks, leads, solos and rhythms as though Eddie Van Halen hadn't been invented yet. Any criticisms I may have had before about his vocal, tonight over the excellent Dexters PA, proved also unfounded, as the guy attacked the songs with everything from wistful upper register atmospheric singing to a more solid, trad-rock vocal that delivered the songs in a manner that kept your attention throughout. The rhythm section kept it all together, driving the songs along and providing a neat foil for the leads when they fired out of the speakers. That they have aq keyboard player is where the edges start to blur - the guy on keyboards is a valuable member, giving the songs more of a depth and providing an extra texture to the numbers, a contrast to the sharp edges of the guitar work, but it is this contrast, or rather the way the keys are used as a more melodic answer to the guitar work, that keeps them on the "indie" side of the fence - that and the fact that, despite being a fiery band, they avoid the song-writing rock cliches and provide numbers that prove to be more dynamic and flowing than the instrumental fireworks would suggest. As it was, this was a sound and solid set, one that had me riveted from start to finish, while at the same time scratching my head wondering where it's going to go.
An interesting, thought-provoking aand seriously entertaining evening of bands.