SOUL NIDUS, COLOURS OF ONE, ECHO GRAM & LADY HEROINE
LONDON CAMDEN UNDERWORLD 13/10/10
There was a real international flavour to this new band night at the Camden Underworld. Already on stage when I arrived were Lady Heroine who have apparently come all the way from Georgia. I’m afraid from my point of view they could just as well have saved their travel expenses. The band consists of two shoe-gazing guitarists and a bloke armed with a camcorder and a lap-top. The lap-top seems to be responsible for two thirds of all the sounds emitting from the stage and that fact alone kills my interest immediately.
Echogram, from Ireland, are next up and they are at least a real band. They too have a lap-top but this one is restricted to background sounds and intros. Their singer is armed with a fine voice and there’s some real energy to their set. Forthcoming single ‘Walk In The Sun’ had hints of U2 about it and closing number ‘Conspiracy’ packed a powerful rock punch.
No bones about it, I was here to see Welsh lads Colours Of One. Their debut album Bad News Makes Big Noise has been making regular visits to my stereo since its release in May and live they’re growing in stature all the time. They open up tonight with a new track called ‘Track And Stone’ and it’s ample reassurance that the next album should be more than a match for the excellent debut. The set flies by, seemingly in a matter of moments, despite album favourites like ‘Leech’ and ‘Spin’ being augmented by another classy new offering, ‘Chemical Charm’ – but that’s how it is when you’re really enjoying watching a fine band in top form. I’m still not entirely sure how to categorise Colours Of One but their music rocks, surprises and pulls you in with great melodies and well crafted hooks. Hopefully there is a long career ahead of them.
I was considering heading off after Colours Of One but as Soul Nidus had made it all the way from Canada it seemed a bit ungracious. My good manners are surprisingly well rewarded as the band are a real breath of fresh air. Their set begins with a stoner/rock ’n’ roll vibe that brings to mind Queens Of The Stone Age but from there they wander off into all kinds of territories, bringing Beatles tinged melodies and even indulge in some one-man acoustic balladry.
Overall this proved to be a rewarding night of varied and interesting music and it’s a shame a few more people weren’t there to witness it.
Chris Kee
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