BUBBLECRAFT 13TH NOTE CAFÉ, 15TH JAN 2003
Bubblecraft may come in for their fair share of stick from certain quarters, but in their six-odd years of existence they have proved themselves to be one of Scotland’s most professional and tightly-honed live acts. A gig schedule that would break most other bands to pieces and a dedication to acute professionalism may not indie credibility make but it has have given them a wide following throughout Scotland, a fair few of whom have made it along to this rare home-town gig.
Leaving singer/guitarist James Bullen’s dodgy spiky haircut aside, the ‘Craft are certainly aiming for an MTV-friendly look and sound, and they proceed to pummel the audience with a succession of slick and powerful alt.rock anthems. Guitarist Allan McCafferty’s heavy, effects-laden riffing lifts the sound well away from the realms of worn cliché into which you may expect them to plummet, and with a rhythm section tighter than an Aberdonian in a vice, the partisan crowd are soon swept up into the sonic tornado. The set peaks during the epic "Chiaroscuro", a fantastic track which finds the right balance of epic scale and sonic dynamism to showpiece the band’s talents. Overall the impression is of a hard-wrought and well-rehearsed band with more than a few high quality tunes. They have ambition, and aren’t afraid of showing it, but that’s the point, isn’t it?
CG