October 20, 2004
Blasting the wax out of your ears came Public Relations Exercise, and their absurdly loud, but very cheery sounding guitars which started the show. At first impression, and I was still convinced by the last impression, these guys reflect the style of The Icarus Line and that genre (whatever that genre may be) crossed with the modern ways of a garage rock/indie band. They gave us creative, building intros, which then shattered into fast and aggressive vocals laid over with bright guitar, and crashing drums. Unfortunately the bass was only discernable when the drums paused for a breather. The vocals were very effective, and you knew that the frontman could pull off both forceful singing with lung busting long notes, and could also blues it up a bit if needs be.
Paris In The Spring started their set with a long, slow, and quite beautiful intro, which switched to a slow intense build up, and then into the song. There were steady powerful drums refereeing the impressive conflict between the two guitars which gave the sound interest, and originality. The bass put in its point of view, standing out well amongst the rest of the noise. The screaming vocals were notable and passionate, but the frontman had a slightly less remarkable singing voice, although he put in some good harmonising with the backing vocalist. There were some great use of effects on the guitar during the intros, and most songs started really well, but then the music would lose something when the singing started, and it didnÂ’t pick it back up throughout the rest of the song. Paris In The SpringÂ’s sound perhaps needs touching up a bit, but they certainly have something damn good to go on. A mix of melodic and an ear screwing 36 Crazy Fists feel.
Kicking off with crashing emo riffs were Piano, there was no messing around, except for the bassistÂ’s microphone not being switched on, but this was rectified after the first song, but then later on he knocked the stand over and had to sing into the mic kneeling down. Bit of a nightmare for him, but well managed. The frontman had a great singing, and screaming voice, and used both very effectively, harmonising well with the opposing backing vocals. This was integrated well, along with the complex drumming, with the changes in tempo and volume. Despite his nightmare the bassist showed what he was cGapable of, using both a 5 string, and a 6 string bass (not at the same time mind), and quickly, and rather amazingly pulling off a section of PrimusÂ’s Too Many Puppies, including the bass solo, between a song. Although PrimusÂ’s bass lines are so complicated I donÂ’t think too many people would know if heÂ’d made a mistake or not. Each member of Piano are defiantly talented musicians and writers, there were great moments of timing, and some very clever lyrics.
To see more pictures from this gig click here Review ~ Steph Photos ~ Glynn
Written By Steph
Photos ~ Glynn
