First review of 2020 and it is the impressive debut from Sequence 3 6 9, hotly anticipated around these quarters. The band features some well-kent faces from around the Scottish alt/punk scene featuring in its line up luminaries with backgrounds in acts such as The Media Whores and Nine Bullets among others. This album ticks all my boxes musically and lyrically, so it is a cracking way to bring in the new year
I have enjoyed many crossover bands in the last few years. Bands like Rats From a Sinking Ship, the aforementioned Nine Bullets and Glasgow’s The LaFontaines adding their own marks and twists to the genre. Sequence 3 6 9 is a powerful and refreshing addition to that listening list.
The band have taken the now well-trodden blueprint of rock/rap crossover acts and, not content with just adding their name to the list, they have meticulously disassembled its DNA, rebuilding their own unique strand and owning it in their own inimitable style.
There is a short bio of each band member in the booklet accompanying the CD. The diverse range of each members backgrounds and influences meld together on Gatefever to provide the listener with a thrilling ride, mixing influences and styles to stunning effect. The lyrics on “Before” hint at history repeating itself, that may be the case, but certainly not in terms of the music played on this album.
If I am disappointed in anything on this album, it is that it only runs to seven tracks. Still, I’d prefer to have seven killer tracks like those demonstrated here than have a ten-track album with three skippable songs.
Words are Weapons
There is nothing generic or formulaic about the songs on offer, mixing things up in a variety of styles and with vocals from various band members. The main lyricist being rapper Gareth GBH, his incisive cutting lyrics delivered in an undeniably Glaswegian style. He raps from a place of honesty and integrity. In his own words, his words are his weapons.
That doesn’t tell the whole vocal story. Gareth’s insightful raps are complemented throughout by vocals from across the band. Kerris warm voice coming to the fore on songs like Before., while elsewhere the dulcet tones of Jimbo McKellar are instantly recognisable.
The songs are full of socio/political commentary, no more prescient or relevant than on “Together” reflecting the tragedy playing out currently in Australia. “The trees are all burning, was it you was it me, the animals are dying, was it you was it me?
Shit Hot riffing
Musically the album is full of shit hot riffing complemented by thunderous bass lines and crashing drums. Stylistically picking up on punk, funk, classic rock, post punk…I could go on, a veritable smorgasbord that the band mould into a sound of their own.
Take Destiny as an example, as I listen, I hear a heavy bass and drum sound PiL loved to use, I hear Jit rock influences along with ska and early angular post punk on what must be the most uplifting song on the album
Every time I listened to the album on the first few listens, I noticed something else that hooked me further in. My favourite track changing on each listen. Suffice to say, I still can’t decide, as I said earlier, they are all killer for different reasons.
There is a quote on the album insert “If only you knew the significance of the 3, 6 and 9 then you would have the key to the universe” (Nikola Tesla). Do your ears and soul a favour and pick up Gatefever, so you can unlock the world of Sequence 3 6 9 and make a significant impact to your universe.
Sequence 3 6 9 officially launch the album in Ivory Blacks on the 7th of February.
Contact the band via Facebook to get a hold of their CD.