July 20, 2005
So here we are again at Junktion 7 for the Battle of the Bands Heat 3 and just like last year it is getting more and more exciting.
First tonight we have Conceptual Misfire a three piece, with an interesting mix of melodic rock soloing and heavy improvised riffs. Using some great dynamics and showing us some great solo skills on all instruments, they jam through a tight and funky set with top marks for musical skill. The bass and drums drive the songs well, as the guitarist switches between fast and impressive solos and crunchy, chunky riffs. Without a vocalist some bands lose their power and emotion but Conceptual Misfire use each instrument in turn to show off their skill and even though some songs do lack emotion, generally their skills as technical musicians are impressive enough to keep your attention. Their music flows and moves well as they take it in turns to solo and almost battle it out to show who can improvise and jam best! Its impressive stuff and they are almost too good, and after a few songs the crowd does seem to lose interest a bit. Some songs don’t seem to reach their full potential, but by dropping in some familiar riffs (borrowed from popular covers) they kept the crowd happy. They were impressive musically but at times lacked extra feeling and conviction, but still a great start.
The second band tonight were Answers Within, they began with their crunchy guitar rock, with indie and grunge influences. With a tight and driving drum and bass section, the guitars provided nice melodies and were supported well by deep vocals. The roaming guitar riffs were impressive, when you could hear the, and the energetic drums gave real beef to the sound, keeping the songs moving well. The frontman grew in confidence as the set went on, but at times his voice lacked self- belief and it seemed he was holding back on us a bit. For a young band, they had well-written songs, with an informed political message. They included emotion and energy in their sound, and appeared really happy to be playing and thoroughly enjoyed their set. With a little more confidence and experience these guys could grow-up (:p) to be a pretty good band. And the song about their maths teacher being a bitch at the endÂ…. priceless.
Up next was a band with a couple of familiar faces from last year’s winners Weeble, in their other outfit Jimmy The Squirrel. But don’t be mislead, as the similarity in members and a love of fun music is about the only thing they have in common. The lead vocalist has brilliant presence, throwing himself around the stage like a dancing squirrel on the beach, making a nutty cocktail. With Phat-beats! groovy basslines and funky guitars, the songs mashed together marvellously, aided by the synth/organ thingy and blasting trombone, it was a mishmash of skank-able gangsta ska that’s just too cool for school. With a nice reggae influence, crossed with the modern, energetic ska-punk and interesting vocal patterns, it certainly got the crowd moving. This well coordinated, interesting mix had great dynamics and changed tone, tempo and mood quickly but smoothly. With influences from a variety of sources, including 80’s pop, rock, ska, funk and punk, it had a consistent energetic, up-beat, catchy and fun feel. If you want to be cheered up, go check these guys out.
After the up-beat, chilled out set from Jimmy, we were exposed to the rampant insurgence and destructive boom of Deadfall. This heavy breed of rock and classic metal using impressive and incredibly fast guitar soloing, and drums that never stopped to a stomp it’s sound of sheer power into your forehead. Using deep and powerful vocal growls, they were more metal than a scrap yard and with a large crowd, that seemed to have an obsession with head banging and making more ‘Satan’ sign than George Bush, it was heavy, powerful and emotional stuff. Deadfall’s sound is not the most original and has been done plenty of times before with influence from bands like Iron maiden, Metallica and Machine Head but if you like to rock out to good, clean, crushing metal then you won’t get it done much better than this. It had all the classic metal trademarks, angry vocals, fast guitars, driving drums and bass and was played with energy, balls and presence. It satisfied ever angry and metal-loving bone in our bodies. Mind blowing metal.
And the winners of Junktion 7 Battle of the bands 2005, heat 3 were Deadfall
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