GIGS IN FEBRUARY 2008

THE SANDSIFTER, HAYLE (23RD FEBRUARY)

SLEEP GOOD FEEL GOOD

First on tonight`s bill were this Cardiff based band with local connections. The room was packed, but as the band started it was clear that the mixing desk was not doing a great job of balancing the sound in this low ceiling-ed room. The PA was too low and the vocals hard to understand over the far-too-loud bass. This was a great shame because Sleep Good Feel Good are an excellent band, (just listen to the tracks on their myspace page) often unjustly compared to The Stereophonics, (they are so much better), but tonight battling against a rogue sound system setup was hardly a true picture of their potential.

But battle on they did, and with some indie/punky tunes led by Owen Griffiths, (looking not unlike John Power from The Las/Cast), on vocals and guitar and some excellent work by the best drummer of the night (step forward Mr.Oliveri), finishing a short set to great applause.

In retrospect, I`m really annoyed that the performance was marred by the sound at The Sandsifter, because if the demos I`ve heard are anything to go by, this is an excellent band with cracking songwriters - catchy as hell, but with a real sense of purpose.

I`m going to make it my business to catch them next time they come back to Cornwall (at a different venue!) and I`d advise you to do the same.

THE UNDERGROUND PRESS SYNDICATE

Second on the bill came local band The UPs. With some bizarre dress code straight out of Brideshead Revisited, (all braces and cravats), Jo, Jack, Jake and Sam, (I wouldn`t like to say which is which, but I`m hoping the bass player is called Jack), played their equally short set with enthusiasm and verve. A little funky Chili Peppers stylie thang going on in some of their songs, which made for an interesting combination with the look of the band, in others I could hear the Babyshambling vocals occasionally over the jangling guitars. I imagine that when they headline gigs the sweat is pouring off them and the audience, but tonight with their placing on the billing, I felt that they were holding back a bit in their performance.

Again the sound system was causing problems for us to hear what was being played/sung, in fact the second mic only actually got to the right level as the last song was halfway through.

Clearly a well polished band that will excell when given the right live sound mix.

THE SYCAMORES

God only knows why The Sycamores weren`t headlining tonight, but as it was we got to see why these boys are causing such a stir on the local scene and must be a sure thing for a gong at the next local award shindig.

The crowd were by now (11.15ish) fairly sweaty, pissed and jumping all around, so when Jason, Robbie, San and Kenny started up they were guarenteed a good reaction, (not many unsigned bands get a cheer from the local audience just for stepping up onto the stage).

Playing a new set of tunes like The Theory of it All that both followed the themes of the older material and at the same time stretched The Sycamores further onwards and upwards, they lept into action like the mentalists that they are. A touch of Buzzcocks here, a touch of Gang of Four there, Jamie T at times, Jack P at others; The Sycamores are all these and more. A combination of everything they`ve ever heard and something that has yet to be created, this band are not pigeons and you won`t stick `em in a hole with stupid labels and musings of the lazy.

In this local scene thats having it`s golden years as we speak, The Sycamores are at the forefront of the push for national, (and international if I have anything to do with it!), success and recognition. They are the great white Cornish hope for 2008 without a shadow of doubt or competition in my opinion.

Stunning.

(Photos by Lord Itchfield)

www.myspace.com/thesycamores

www.myspace.com/undergroundpresssyndicate

www.myspace.com/sleepgoodfeelgood