Heavy Drapes – Crashing Like Stars

Crashing Like Stars

The day finally arrived. Crashing Like Stars dropped onto my doormat. I, like many, have been waiting with anticipation for this album for a couple of years having witnessed the songs in a live environment on numerous occasions over that period.

RIP Garry

Tragically, the circumstances around the eventual release are far removed from what anyone would have expected or wished for. Garry’s sudden death earlier this year hit people hard. Heavy Drapes live shows were incendiary affairs and Garry’s alter-ego De-Liberate an incandescent frontman who lit up the stage. For Heavy Drapes fans, the release of the album will give some comfort and it ensures the legacy of Garry and the band will live on.

Stand up Richie, Billy and Jerry

It would be totally remiss of me not to give credit to the rest of the band for this achievement – Richie, Billy and Jerry. The band were a unit, life-long friends before band-mates. Most were also bandmates forever, since their days as Baby’s Got a Gun (the origin of Heavy Drapes album title comes from this time).

Resilience

The band deserve plaudits, not only for the songs but for the strength and resilience they have displayed in getting the album finished while mourning the loss of their friend. If it was hard for the followers and friends of Heavy Drapes to deal with the news of Garry’s passing, imagine how hard it was (and still is) for them. And, of course, there is Garry’s family. I’m sure Mischa will have many warm memories of her dad and will be proud of him for so many reasons. This album will be something she can add to that list and look back on and say, that’s my dad.

Memories

Listening to the album, I can’t help but have visions in my head of the numerous occasions I saw the band. Those memories are all good. Through going to see this band live, I didn’t only discover a tremendous band. No, I have also met many great people I know I wouldn’t have met if it wasn’t for them and the fervour they ignited in the people who witnessed them. While these are heart-warming recollections, listening to this album also brings with it a degree of sadness. While it is great to have these songs gathered together as a lasting legacy, it also cements the fact that there will be no more from the band.

Straight Outta Leith

Out of Leith, via East Kilbride, The Drapes had progressed from playing small clubs to becoming a massive draw. Filling large halls at Rebellion and constantly adding to their legion of new fans. As well as the plaudits and new fans, Garry was adept at rubbing people up the wrong way. He knew exactly what he wanted, he knew what he believed and wasn’t afraid to speak up. Often knowing full well what he said would occasionally, and rightfully, cause ripples of scorn and ruffled feathers in the punk fraternity.

Bombastic

If you have seen the band live, you will already know and love these soaring, bombastic songs.

The well-loved EP tracks are all there, Should I Suck? Hanging Like a Suicide, Into the Blue and of course my personal favourite, Maladjusted. The six other tracks are all treasured and adored live favourites – Janie, Number One, Human Machine, Nightrippin’, Head Skrewed On and Make Some Trouble.

If you haven’t heard this band before, and you like “in your face” music with punk stylings, with both UK first wave and the New York scene influences, but brought right into the 21st Century. If you like a band that plays with a passionate intensity and a frontman who really means it, man. If you like an album with plenty of anthemic, sing-a-long tunes…you get the picture. This album is for you.

The perfect combination

The album kicks off with the familiarity of single, and Clash song title pun, Should I Suck or Should I Blow? Each following track feels like an old friend and each one vying for a space in my head as the days earworm long after I’ve finished listening.

Billy’s powerhouse drumming, Jerry’s intricate bass parts, Richie’s dextrous guitar playing topped off with Garry’s swaggering drawl are a perfect combination.

Raucous final track on the album and call to arms, Make Some Trouble, was always one of my live favourites and resulted in a mass sing along to the “up, against the wall” refrain. On that note, the very last word on the album is “Up”. Also a fitting nod to the album three quarters of the band’s previous incarnation recorded as Baby’s Got a Gun.

Make some trouble, make a noise. Play it loud. Raise a glass to an unforgettable frontman and the singer in a “fucking punk rock band” and treasure these songs.

Muchos Respectos.

Shine on Garry.

Get your copy of Crashing Like Stars from http://viveleshop.com/

Or pick up a copy in person from either of the two upcoming tribute shows in Edinburgh (8th December) and Glasgow (9th December) with headline sets from The Godfathers supported by Reaction with a special Heavy Drapes set featuring The Godfathers Peter Coyne on vocals.