So finally, the time for Engine Room has returned, blessed be. In from the rain and welcomed by such lovely friendly faces. Thin multicoloured veils hang from the ceiling of the Brudenel, like the clouds textures of GTA:SA. More so after everyone has spent all night smoking. The Beatles tell me I should be grateful the Taxman doesn’t take it all and I remember he has, and I should really send off my P60s.
Tonight’s music is part of a gig swap with Sheffield, and the first band up, Crowley’s Dead, are a Sheffield bunch. Crowley’s dead a loud, raw, blissful mish-mash of chunky-chunky guitars. The throw wall of noise with shouty laddish vocals that give them a character in what could easily be a bland noise. The guitar work was modest, both showed them selves to be able in more intricate work, but also simple note work more resembling Joey Santiago, effective and well placed. Then first few songs made me think they could do with some arrangement work and less crowding to their sound, but these I suspect were early numbers because as the set progressed to some more off-beat riffs, with space for the audience to find the vibe. Overall a solid sound with well textured rock riffs and some old fashions harmonies and lovable tunes overall. Crowley’s Dead are a definitive pub rock band, and with a bit more experience, and if they can craft their sound some more they will benefit hugely.
A lovely bunch of lads they are apologetically between websites at the moment, but they invite you email them on crowleysdead_875@yahoo.co.uk or if your reading this towards the end of 2005 or beyond, you could google for them.
Next up, Downdime, not headlining, sorry, FCM got its wires crossed…
Down dime make a strong Indie rock entrance, an interesting construction to their sound has their keyboards following the melody, intrinsic and catchy like early Wannadies, leaving their guitarist to do pretty much whatever the hell he likes, which he pleasingly does, roaming freely from relatively standard riffs to add depth to their pop-sound. Downdime are fantastically easy to listen to, joyful to watch and make teenage death really something to sing about. Fronted by a comedic playboy who loves his riffs and loves showing it they are a fun band the likes of which you don’t see much. This can be cringe making or even irritating if done with arrogance, but Downdime do it well. The only gripe, that old singing with American accent… But overall good songs, a great vibe, a definite for fans of Granddaddy and T-minus Band
The Feds, failed to show for mystery reasons that we were not treated to…so New Minds Eye played us home.
These first thing I noticed about New minds eye was the lack of a bass, then the melodic fury bounce that came from their sounds. The drummer played mouth organ. The sound is slick and well rehearsed and fills the listener with the over whelming urge to see it again. New Minds eye have Vibe in excess, they spend time on their sound and that clearly pays. Each song has its own feel and its own sound and on large New Minds Eye are a band which could call the Leeds sound they’re own, bluesy and charismatic, with funky keyboards and a selection of instruments made them the most professional act of the night. Very tight and very smooth, there was little visible communication between the members but they played with a fluidity reminiscent of the SFA or the Earlies. And just when I’m thinking they’ve done their lot, the drummer pulls out a sax for their big finale. A fantastic group who have outgrown the half hour set, they needed longer.
All in all a great night, welcome back Engine room, oh how I’ve missed you…
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