That New Band Smell - PigsAsPeople
Shalom! 25-year-old Brian Coney here, taking a well-earned break from the sudden influx of happy-go-lucky, starry-eyed first year university students making my life an absolute misery (oooh grumpy pants - ED). Kidding, of course! I love students (kind of). Either way, it's Freshers Week, a new term, a new start, and with that comes literally countless gigs reminding us how good we have it on the local music front. Here's my pick of three bands to keep an eye on in the coming weeks.
Heavy Set Bayonet – Mr Hyde
Although they describe themselves as indie, Heavy Set Bayonet are one of a number of young (pop/)punk-centric bands to come out of a thriving Derry scene in the last year or two. Formed in 2010, their "dynamic, aggressive yet vaguely danceable" sound is in abundance on their two 4 track EPs - Remember All The Bits and Talk To Me, Tell Me- earning them support slots with the likes of Pulled Apart By Horses, Blood Red Shoes and Fighting With Fire. ‘Mr. Hyde’ is hands down one of their strongest tracks, hinting at some excellent stuff to come from the four-piece.
Changing Gears – Don’t You Wish
Dublin has produced its fair share of twee indie-pop acts down the years. Changing Gears, a four-piece focused on simplistic, melody-driven guitar-pop are easily one of more impressive of the current school. Not a million miles away from the doting indie pop of Belle and Sebastian and Allo Darlin' in general, ‘Don't You Wish’ - the title track from their second studio release - evokes early R.E.M. and Elvis Costello to suggest even more impressive things in the pipeline. Definitely one for those of you who like their local music upbeat, uncomplicated and immediate.
PigsAsPeople – Glass Fiends
My main pick this week is Belfast-based noise/hardcore three-piece PigsAsPeople, a brand new outfit whose penchant for riffs cannot be understated. Comprised of Chris Leckey (bass/vocals) and Wilson Davidson (drum/vocals) of the recently-departed Steering Fail (RIP) and ex-Zhuks frontman Stevie Lennox, their fierce breed of half time-heavy noise rock grabs their collective influences by the throat (everyone from Russian Circles to Fugazi) to deliver one hell of a gut-crushing punch. ‘Glass Fiends’ is taken from the band’s first (brand new) two-track EP.
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