THE REVS + WE START FIRES + TURISMO.
AT SCARBOROUGH KAZBAH. 04/ 08/ 03.
We Start Fires are an alt-indie-pop four-piece from the North East of England. They make music to dance to, to fall in love to, to think, fight, feel, live and dream to.
After first hearing the �How To Be A Lady� EP for the first time about six weeks ago. I was really looking forward to finally seeing them live. They didn�t disappoint. They are fantastic live. They didn�t perform any tracks at all from the �How To Be A Lady� EP but it didn�t matter. I still liked all the tracks they did include within their 30 minute set. Songs such as �Ruby Slippers� and �When You Fall�.
Becky from the band didn�t seem too happy about how the set went when I spoke to her afterwards. Apparently there were problems with the monitors. Also, not a great deal of people seemed to be giving the band the attention they deserved and instead decided to stand near the bar talking to friends. How rude.
The Revs have been described as a hybrid between The Police, The Undertones, Supergrass, The Who, and Semisonic on speed with a live energy reminiscent of Green Day, Smashing Pumpkins, or the Violent Femmes, while demonstrating live musical skills way beyond their tender years. I have to agree.
The band have been massive in Ireland for ageeeeeeeeeeeees. They have had five top 20 singles there and a top 20 album. Here on mainland Britain we have been slow to catch on and take notice of one of Irelands best live acts but that is all about to change.
With performances like the one witnessed at this gig and I can guarantee that these guys will be massive here and sooner rather than later. There were a number of die hard fans at this gig but many, like me, didn�t really know what to expect. The 3 piece managed to win the crowd over though and even managed to encourage crowd members to form a mosh pit.
The guys were really down to earth too and often spoke with the crowd between songs. Something which in this day and age doesn�t seem to happen much. Musically they gave us the slower songs, which reminded me a little of The Thrills, and then followed them with the faster, louder more rockier type stuff.
At the end of one track all three band members took part in one of the best drum solos I have ever seen. It was very impressive. The set was concluded with latest single �Death Of A DJ�. It is that track that will hopefully break the band here and make them super stars.
The Revs made the unusual decision the play in the middle slot of the three band bill. They didn�t want to headline. They are offering a Irish tour and Irish record release to the best band they play with on this tour. Bless.
Headlining duties were left to local band Turismo. The band brought a coach load of people with them to the gig. Those people seem to think that Turismo are the best band in the world. They quite clearly aren�t. In fact they were rather crap. They certainly weren�t anything special anyway. I got very bored during their set. It seemed to last forever.
BY MR MARTYN. AUGUST 2003. |