I've never seen the Mixing Tin so packed midweek, especially for a Monday night! So it looks as though we are in for a treat with the band line up this evening - or so I thought!First up is a band called Guile. This indie band are from the Black Country and the NME has compared them to the likes of Oasis, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and the Jesus and Mary Chain, but as we all know the NME can get things drastically wrong, and for some reason refuse to acknowledge any music past 1990. Why on earth these guys are compared to the above is beyond me, they're worthy of much more acclaim than that.
Their lyrics are inspired and the music is packed with dirty guitars, throbbing drum beats and slick vocals which keep you wanting just a little bit more, or wanting them to push you over some imaginary edge.
Guile look like a dirty Keane, but their sound is far from it, with tunes such as, 'How Long (Do You Want Me To Stay)' and the fantastic 'Serendipity', these guys have restored a little bit of faith in me that real, good filthy rock n roll still exists.
Their innovative styles are taken from such classic epic tunes, from the likes of The Grateful Dead and The Doors and they take you on a journey with front man Neal Sawyer leading the way. Guile are well rehearsed and you can get lost in their world for each driving tune. They ended the set with a song called 'Devil In Black' which is dark and haunting and you will definitely be left wanting more - why were these guys not headlining?
Second on the bill is a guy called The Starfighter Pilot, who has managed to adorn every table with his flyers, I shall not need roach materials for months! Apparently he has come all the way from the sunny climbs of Manchester this evening; hmmm maybe he should have stayed there!
I have to say I wasn't very taken with this young man, who came on looking like a P & O ferry worker. Another Beck wanna be, however Leeds own Rob Galloway does it far better. His first track 'In Your Get Up' just proves to the audience that he can play his keyboard better than he sings, this is followed by a song he mumbles about being written about a film and broadcasting course he was on at Leeds Uni, which he attempts to make sound like Aphex Twin and fails miserably, the middle of his set just seems to run into one long tune with a few mumbles in-between but his last tune, you can't even hear the vocal, whether that was intentional or not, it was still a blessing as he murders his way through a 'White Lines' remix looking like a retarded Griff from Super Furry Animals.
Then we get to Cakey Face. A band I have been waiting to see for quite some time now. Led by singer Debbie Face, who I may add is a great little P J Harvey in the making, Cakey Face shows us that not all new girly bands have to sound crap and demure. They were only formed early this year, and I'm led to believe that Alice the drummer (aka Cakey A) has not even been playing that long, but she pulls off the cutest little drum beats I've heard in a long time. Coupled together with Hazel Cake (Guitar) and The Chef (Bass) these guys have a promising future, it's just a pity that the sound down at the Tin was so marred - grrr curse you Mixing Tin sound people!
Their lyrics are punchy and the toppest tune of the night 'Pop Suicide' is carefully crafted and shows each member of the band in their own little light. If you want striding bass, lounge punk and off beats then Cakey Face are your clear winners, they can only go from strength to strength - bravo!
Last band of the evening are Insect Guide. I don't really know what to make of this Leeds based band. Interesting would be a good yet boring word to use, and at times their set did bore me a little; maybe a tad self indulgent, however they play the power pop card very well and are to be applauded for their superb musicianship. Music for a soundtrack definitely. They have a unique sound and the vocals are beautiful, however I would have to give them a harder listen to appreciate them fully and maybe when the sound quality isn't so rubbish. Work in progress I think.
