Today’s post was going to be about the death of the music messageboard but it’s already after 9pm and if I aim for anything that broad it’ll take days to write. This post-a-day habit is coming along nicely. So instead I’ll write about two bands I’ve seen live. One new and one not so new.
The Downs
An Italian music blog described them as “Noise rock. Lo-fi. Gothic surf. Batcave.” There’s not enough bands in the genre batcave, that’s for sure. Maybe this is what Tim Burton’s wedding band sounded like. I watched a wedding tv program on that once. Half expected them to drive away in a batmobile it was so visually OTT and gothic. Looked amazing mind you.
This Glaswegian duo (they might be a trio by now) make music that when you hear it, is more likely to affect you rather than have you wondering what score to give it out of 10. It is otherworldly.
You can imagine the caped crusader listening to this while on the way to leave flowers at the grave of his parents. Then going out and battering some Gotham criminals. I’ve seen a lot of terrible bands in my time and if you’re not paying attention you could mistake The Downs for one of them, especially if they have an off night. They’d rather be musically provocative than predictable.
If you’re putting a gig on and want to add genuine variety without going free jazz, my recommendation would be to book The Downs. I’m sure they can take the night off from their residency in David Lynch’s subconscious.
Miss The Occupier
What can you possibly write about this Glasgow band that hasn’t been said before? Very little I imagine. They’ve been around for many years with a lo-fi punk, electro-pop sound that would put you in mind of the Radio 1 Evening Session back when Lamacq and Whiley ruled the airwaves.
They write the type of leftfield indie song that you know roughly where it’s going, you’re just not sure which detour they’ll take to get there. Some of the journeys are more interesting than others.
Recent gig performances have been inconsistent, veering wildly from the amazing to the awkward, although a line-up change most likely explains the latter. Bands do have off days. You just wish they didn’t have one the night you bring friends along who haven’t seen them before. You end up doing the whole ‘honestly, last gig I saw them at they were excellent’, which is a tough sell.
Thankfully I’ve seen them often enough to know that when they are on form they are sublime. Take a listen to “Your Fairytales” from their current release if you need an introduction.
THE DOWNS LATEST RELEASE ‘GLASS EYED’ IS AVAILABLE ON BANDCAMP.
MISS THE OCCUPIER ARE CURRENTLY PROMOTING THEIR SEVEN TRACK ALBUM, ‘KEEPING COMPANY WITH WOLVES’.
