Review – Golden Rough + C-Minus Project + Reaper

@ Hopetoun Hotel 8Sep99

 

The day before the clocks stop, the computers crash, everything dies; the day we find out whether we’re Y2K compliant 115 days before we can’t do anything about it if we’re not, Golden Rough decide to trot out their new sound and line-up at the Houie. But not before we’re treated to some not-so-golden plenty-rough sounds from the support bands.

 

Reaper are a three-piece indieish punkish alternapop sorta kinda thing that still need a little work on the getting-it-together stakes. Courage, though, is their forte, doing an albeit-rough-cover of Bowie’s Sorrow. They made up for this with an original in a Saints Stranded vain, complete with out-of-tuning. The whole thing went over well, just the same, as there seemed to be a whole lot of fans and supporters here tonight for this band and while I adjourned until the next set, the crowd cheered for more!

 

C-Minus Project came on with such a low-key approach that no one knew they had started. The vocalist/guitarist with the Ivy League look and the Elvis Costello sound opened solo and at quite low volume, and even after he was joined by the other two in the band; there was little reaction except for the girlfriends and mates to stage-right. Theirs is a three-piece too-laid-back alternative-folk approach with two guitars and a brushed kit that was quite hard to hear over the roar of disinterest of the punters, even from up front. More adjournment and another beer.

 

There seemed an indeterminable time between the drone of the second act and the reason why I at least was here. There also seemed to be a disproportionate number of fans for the each act: Reaper’s crowd was the biggest! But the vibe was up just the same as the press on this gig promised minimal off-notes after innumerous rehearsals. Golden Rough now comprise five pieces, with Helen, Dave and Jason still at the centre, but now add Brian as a long-haired Seth (Austin Powers, Buffy) Green on keys, and Andrew as the third drummer in three years with that distinctive John (TMBG) Henry look.

 

The set turned out very Tim Rogers Twin Setesque which had feet tapping all over the room. A little top-end in the vocals, maybe as much as Jason had in the Fender, would have worked wonders but apart from this and a number of dud notes (put that down to first-night nerves) the new line-up did OK at this launch/debut. Jason’s pedal-steel sound on the tele without any metallic additions on his fingers, Brian’s occasional Hammond effects made for a good evening of song which went over well with the disappointingly small crowd.

 

With a new album out in November, things are looking up for the new look Golden Rough. Their support of new bands led to a little disinterest toward the support acts from this writer’s point of view but you would think that fans of those bands would do the right thing and return that support.

PG (Jacky) Gleeson