Reviews

Rainy Sunday afternoons in Guernsey are seen by quite a few people as a time when there is very little to do. Well this week things were a bit different as the Fermain Tavern was playing host to five bands including two visiting the island from elsewhere.

Unfortunately as half past four rolled round and it came time for The Escape Fall to get things going it seemed very few had realised quite such an event was happening as the Tavern lounge bar and dance floor were largely empty. This didn't stop the band though.

Dual Les Paul's in The Escape Fall.

Once again The Escape Fall impressed with their own take on the emo-pop style that is continuing to make waves in the mainstream music charts. While the bands energy today started off a little lower than their style of music demands, likely at least in part to the small audience, they once again demonstrated how good they are at what they do.

What is especially promising about the band is that they really shine when playing their own material, unlike many acts who come to life on covers and seem unsure with their own stuff. This confidence on originals, coupled with the bands obvious musical talents could see them do very well, however they didn't totally capitalise on this this afternoon.

Things took something of a left turn next as The Fuzzey Group took the stage armed with an array of instruments including two saxophones, a keyboard and synthesiser alongside a full drum kit and guitar. Ustilising all of these across one 15 minute jam which swirled through sounds from light jazz to pounding rock rhythms to sections of music created using feedback from the guitar amp.

Colin Falla and Brett Stewart of The Fuzzey Gorup.

While the band sounded impressive it was hard to tell exactly what they were aiming for in the music, but this didn't stop the slowly growing audience enjoying it and certainly appreciating it.

I would be very intrigued to see the band play again as they strike me as something one must explore in great depth to even come close to understanding.

From one of Guernsey's most unique musical acts to one from 'the other island', or Jersey as its otherwise known, FalenizzaHorsePower. My past experiences of this avant-garde metal two piece has been one comprised of intense and experimental rock, today however they seemed to be taking a more mellow direction, which was perfectly in keeping with the spirit of the show so far.

Dave S. of FalenizzaHorsePower.

The most impressive thing about FalenizzaHorsePower is their ability to create such depth of sound from largely two instruments, this evening was no exception in this as they used their drum and bass to rattle the rafters. On top of these though a specially customised guitar was used as part of the drum kit for some songs which made a sound unlike anything else and for one track they looped a harmonica sample under their drum and bass to add yet another level.

Towards the end of their set the band upped the intensity on track 'Post Mortem Depression' which then continued until the end of their set and got a few heads banging around the edges of the room.

Tonight's penultimate band was slated to be fuzz fuelled southern stoner trio Teaspoonriverneck, however due to "circumstances beyond their control" guitarist Teaspo hadn't made it to the venue, so instead we were treated to a one time outing of duo Onriverneck.

Onriverneck at the Fermain Tavern.

Playing a set unsurprisingly focused around their more rhythm driven material the band didn't miss a step as they rocked through a selection of old and new material that had the crowd singing along at several points. With the aid of an extra effects pedal bassist/vocalist Erneck filled the gaps left by the lack of guitar brilliantly, and on almost every occasion they were largely unnoticeable.

Though Teaspoonriverneck could never be themselves without the guitar work provided by Teaspo, tonight they put on an excellent showing in the face of such a challenge.

After Onriverneck left the stage sadly a large number of the audience decided to vanish ahead of Italian alternative rockers Planet Brain who are currently touring the British Isles.

Marcello Batelli of Planet Brain.

Sounding something like Muse crossed with Syd Barret era Pink Floyd, with a bit of Rush thrown in, Planet Brain were on fire from the off. Drawing several of the sadly small crowd to the front of the stage the bands power-prog proved exceptionally popular among those present.

All three members of the band displayed a brilliant talent on their respective instruments with moments driven expertly by the drums and bass, but it was the guitar and vocals of Marcello Batelli that really stood out.

Using only fairly simple effects pedals with the guitar he made it make an impressive array of sounds which brought to mind Muse’s Matt Belamy, a comparison which could also be made to his vocal style, though Batelli's voice proved much easier on the air than the Muse frontmans'.

All five of today's bands put on a great show and the headliners were undeniable band of the day, it's just a shame not more people turned out to see such a varied line-up of local and visiting talent.