McLean's (The Pentre Club), Chemistry Lane, Pentre, Queensferry, CH5 2DA

Thursday 4th February 2010

Pictures by Holly Griffiths & Dave Mounter

Review by Richard Hibbert of Academy Images. For additional images please see http://www.academyimages.co.uk/Blog/Blog.html

Battle of the Bands 2010 - Heat 1

In playing order

Four bands did battle tonight, and after the draw, first band were Chester based:
 

Splash Theory

Splash Theory http://www.myspace.com/splashtheory with their established line-up Chris - Bass/Vocals, Jay - Guitar/Vocals, Cole – Guitar and Jamie – Drums.  This was a very similar set to the one they played a fortnight ago – Wake Up, Pawn Star, Grown Up, Hairy Thumbs, and Let’s Get Wasted – with one very important difference, the delivery, in every aspect, was measurably improved.  The appreciative applause, I referred to in the last review, was replaced by well-earned ovations at the end of each track.  Clearly this band has put in some practice time over the last couple of weeks, it shows and their performance was all the better for it.  Very likeable, competent performers who have a bright future indeed, particularly if this pace of improvement is maintained.  Well-done guys – good set.

Ocean City

Second band on stage, and eventual winners on the evening, were Ocean City http://www.myspace.com/oceancitymusic a Flintshire based quintet with Ross Bevan - lead vocals, Fraser Cripps - guitar/backup vocals, Will Saunt – guitar, Jack Weigh bass/backup vocals and Sean Wheldon – drums.  Heavier in style than Splash Theory, but not so much as to detract from the energy they exuded during their set, which in turn gained them the best crowd response to their set on the night.  Once again they were very competent in all departments, I particularly liked the contrasting, yet sympathetic vocal harmonies between Ross and Jack.  Nice guitar work, steady, yet powerful drumming, distinctive and articulate vocals, all used to great effect to deliver a really good set, featuring, Live or Die, Social Style Nightmare, a cover of Katy Berry’s Hot & Cold, and a nice interpretations of The Lost Prophet’s Burn Burn.

Whiskey & Lace

Wrexham based Whiskey & Lace http://www.myspace.com/whiskeyandlaceofficial were the penultimate act, and for me, must have run Ocean City very close on this performance, exemplified by the efforts of both Lee & Phil (guitarists), both of whom are capable of riffs that would not disgrace any rock stage. Vocally Rob was once again omnipresent, with  Jimmy (bass) and Lewis (drums) providing the solid foundations for the others to perform on.  Their six tracks, Low, Woman, I Don’t Like You Any More, This Ain’t Los Angeles and Whiskey and Lace were well chosen to provide them with a comprehensive showcase for their individual and collective talents.  Shame they won’t be back in this years competition, check out their website, and if you get a chance, get along to one of their shows – you won’t be sorry.

Imperium

Final act were the very heavy, Deeside based, 5 man outfit – Imperium.  Unfortunately, despite their assurances of the existence of a Myspace site, on which I could find all their details, over two hours of fruitless searching have resulted in a blank.  I have found groups from all over the world with Imperium as a component in their name, unfortunately, none of which were this band.  In short therefore, they were by far the heaviest act of the evening, with the ‘screamo’ vocals so loved by the ‘brain damaged’.  I suppose the Klingon battle weapons masquerading as guitars that they carried, should have given the game away, as to the their preferred genre.  Not to my personal taste, nor to the taste of the majority of the audience, I suspect!  Sorry for the anonymity of this section of the review, but I did make the assumption  ………….  and we all know that assumption is the mother of all f*** ups.

Well the first heat is over, and the result is in, before I could start the review of the evening, all things considered I cannot argue with the result, however, the result is not the be all and end all of the experience and all four bands should be pleased with their performance and build on this experience to reach greater heights in the future.

Audience

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