Waiting
I have been waiting some time to see a live performance from post-punk “supergroup” VoiceX and I’m pleased to report they were worth the wait. It is just a shame that more of Glasgow’s gig going punters couldn’t have witnessed the set. But never say never, there is always next time…
There were several gigs around the city that could have led to indecision and taken away some of the band’s potential audience. The punk crowd having the options of the MeninBlack and the Bard of Salford in town. There was also a potential crossover and carve up of the audience with an all-day gig at the Glad Café celebrating International Women’s Day featuring several bands L-Space and Curdle among them.
Anyway, those that did head to Mono were treated to a another version of a tribute to International Women’s Day with great selection of music from the 3 bands on the bill, all fronted by formidable female frontwomen.
The first two bands were both new to me, but I was delighted I had turned up early to witness both their sets.
Quotes of the Dead
First up was four-piece indie-punk rockers Quotes of the Dead. In a post on Facebook, someone asked me if they were a drone rock band, perhaps the name conjures up images of Queens of the Stone Age? I don’t know. But anyway, the band (featuring a guest appearance from Gravelle’s guitarist Kyle on bass were totally on point and played a cool set of tight funked-up indie-rock. Be Somebody had elements in the vocals of Debbie Harry’s “rapping”, while elsewhere there were hints of PJ Harvey and even Big Audio Dynamite in Ctrl/Alt/Delete. Slower track Dancing Dolls for me was another highlight of their set. I look forward to hearing more from them in the future.
Gravelle
A quick change for Kyle and band turnaround and it was the turn of Gravelle to entertain. The two-piece, used their guitar and synthesiser/drum machine/effects combination to great impact creating a massive resonant sound. Their echo/reverb heavy electronica verging on Industrial at times combining early Human League/Tubeway Army/Fad Gadget/Cabaret Voltaire type noises with crunching guitars bringing a harder edge a la Nine Inch Nails to a number of tracks. My ears were ringing with the sound of “trying to shed your skin, dying to shed your skin” for a while after the end of their set.
Voicex
VoiceX are an exciting proposition, with living legend and gold lame attired Paul Mackie (Paul Research) of Scars fame on guitar and members of other post punk luminaries such as Coco Whitson of Boots for Dancing on bass (who incidentally appear alongside Scars on fantastic new Scottish music compilation “Big Gold Dreams” on Cherry Red), Colin Bendall (Matt Vinyl and the Decorators), on drums, and William Baird of The Fakes on guitar. With such innovators in the line-up you are off to a winner straight away. Completing the stellar line-up is performance poet, and member of Fistymuffs, Suky Goodfellow on vocals. Her voice and incisive, sometimes scathing lyrics (especially when it comes to her ex) are the icing on the cake for this electrifying band.
I’ve Been Dead Since 1983
Set opener I’m Dead is a tremendous track, “I’ve been dead since 1983” Suky cries, and the band gel together immediately performing a tight impactful opener. Unfortunately, not currently available in recorded format, on their CD VoiceX plus plus. I need this song…
The band remained totally focussed throughout with a solid set from all and no hitches (apart from maybe a complaint from guitarist William about the monitor not having enough reverb and a quickly averted water disaster). As we all know, water and electricity aren’t the best of bedfellows, so thanks to the quick thinking of Quotes of the Dead vocalist/guitarist Lauren, not once, but twice as Suky tried her best to blow the electrics spilling water in quick succession, disaster was averted. The solution? A half-filled glass and a re-purposing of blue-roll as a cup holder.
Engaging
Every member of the band brought their “A” game and each one had me transfixed at various points of the evening. Suky with her engaging presence and fiercely delivered barbed lyrics, highlights tonight for me were an atmospheric Haze and Never.
Coco and his hypnotising bass playing particularly had me mesmerized on The Immortals, another highlight from the entire band tonight actually.
William Baird has a nonchalant playing style about him but backs the swagger up with some accomplished penetrating guitar work. Then of course, there was Mr Bendall the powerhouse at the back in a stunning starry shirt and with Mackie, also in striking attire, switching between his distinctive spiky guitar style and synthesiser the ensemble was complete.
Immortals
The band aren’t just a bunch of individually accomplished musicians. They bring their individual elements and influences together to form their uniquely jagged futuristic angular post-punk sound that could only be VoiceX. The set was packed with the now familiar tracks Never, Waiting, Carve Up, The Poets Birthday & The Immortals however the newer, less familiar tracks (to me anyway) were just as riveting and I’m sure will soon be as familiar and well-loved as those mentioned.
VoiceX return to Glasgow in October as special guests to punk legends Penetration, and with purveyors of one of 2018’s best albums, ReAction, also appearing on the bill this is a gig not to be missed. You can be sure I’ll be there again, hopefully this time round, VoiceX will get to spread their gospel to a wider West of Scotland audience.