Am I the only one that has noticed the return of the moustache? Like tuberculosis and Paris Hilton, the nose neighbour just won't go away. I imagine a little research can link its rekindled popularity to the independent rock music scene of the past 10 years. Luckily for music devotees like us, whilst the Panama Kings are able to intrigue us with a furry lipped lead singer, you'll be glad you stuck around for the music.
The Belfast boys' first song started off with a near silent bass guitar, but apparently they were reading my notes over my shoulder, and after their first tune asked the sound technician to turn up the volume on that very instrument. The sound was much improved. After three songs, birthday boy of the night Luke picked up the bass - that he plays well below his waist just like Suzi Quatro - and sent subsonic waves into the crowd. This band musters poppy, upbeat, fun music that's not too serious, but seriously rocks. Vocals like Hot Hot Heat, riffs reminiscent of The Flaming Lips, and the ba ba, ba-da-da's that pump hot blood from your heart straight to your dancing feet. "The Night's Already on Fire" was a nice rendition and the band confess that they are on a roll several times. After this performance, I agree that these guys are definitely on a roll, especially for a band that's only been together for about a year. These guys have more chemistry than Isaac Newton. Wait he was a physicist, but you get the point. "Your Children Are Screaming" was my favourite, and it probably would still be stuck in my head if it weren't for the two bands following this musical royalty.
Local boys, Jocasta Sleeps were up next. The joint had started to fill up and the boys seemed pleased with the turn out and wanted to show their stuff. And they did. Popping the cherry of new material, they played a song that their lead singer Callum Wiseman thinks should be called "Waxed Monkey Frog" but I don't think that will stick. When a band plays new material, it reminds me why I go to live gigs for we all know it sucks going to a concert that is basically just an album playback. Give this song a proper name and then record it so the readers can enjoy it as much as I did. Then, if you're feeling sad about that special person in your life, take a listen to "Sarah" or "Old Ideas" and you'll know you're not alone. "Old Ideas" features an acoustic guitar, but it's that kind of acoustic guitar that you only hear at the end of a song where it's most needed and not masked by the rest of the instruments.
Their music is anecdotal; of past relationships and the emotions that don't seem to die with them. Explanations, suggestions, convictions, beeps, twangs, snares, and intense, closed eyes singing is sprinkled throughout each song. Add a shirtless drummer crashing on the zildjians and you can't really go wrong. Definitely worth jamming my pint in my pocket so I could clap, and whistle at the same time.
It's easy to call music "indie", but that is just short for independent. And what about "pop"? Just another short form of popular. Well, if either words are worthy to be considered genres well this night was a night packed with Indie Pop. Sixstarhotel, with or without the spaces, were to be the icing on this evenings cake. A lot of their songs sound the same, so it's the ones that mix it up a little that are the real stand outs. The vocals of "Colour the Mess" had a lot more of an edge that warrants recognition. Many of the songs have a hard rock style segment, but it's just not enough. I guess it's good that I want more, but the songs seemed to end as soon as I was getting into them. Basically I think they should toughen up. They have the musical ability, and are comfortable performing, but perhaps moving out of that comfort zone can bring this band to a level where they stand out in a crowd of bands scraping for their break. Maybe not six stars then, but I'll give them three carrots.