Little Match Girl
Live at Rocket on Sunday, 16th July 2000
It is a tribute to the Leeds' live music scene, its followers and local promoters, that tonight boasts four completely different bands, completely different styles and, for yet another Lock & Load event, a top gig. We start off the night with the longest set of the evening, as local accoustic duo, Living Thing, take to the stage. Another professional and well executed performance, which not only went down well with their own followers but also with the general masses gathered in the Rocket. A minor setback only a couple of songs in could have taken the shine off their set, but the broken string drama didn't phase them - no wonder the band are set to complete another festival headline spot with a show on the accoustic stage later this month at the Royal Park festival.
Next up are the young band Stealthman, who its rumoured are only playing their first or second ever gig. Despite this they're already selling a self-produced, and excellent CD and have a previous EP available via their website. They start up with a mix of what sounds like 70s&80s TV Themes/films/Bond, etc, all mixed up into one talented instrumental opening. From there they play like they've been around for a long time, like seasoned professionals, a very interesting set summed up by the quote of the night, "This lot are weird, a fucked up mix of influences and styles". In a good sense of course.
Next up are the young band Evil Little Sister, another band who are rumoured to be playing one of their first ever gigs. At times the band have what can be described as "promise", a 'sense of things could be good', at other times, such as the chorus to their Semisonic cover, they can described as "excellent", and at other times the word "dire" comes to mind. How the band can at times knock out some astonishing music, especially guitar wise, and at other times fall into a shambolic nature unrecognisable to their previous song is beyond me, but one thing is for certain, Evil Little Sister showed enough energy and promise to be good, it'll just take a little consitency, effort and a few original catchy gems. Two highly commendable debut gigs.
Finally, a fourth and yet again entirely different band in Litle Match Girl take to the stage. This band are it tonight. A very well performed set, a couple of technical glitches in the loss of the guitar through yet another broken string, but like tonights openers they come through the setback with ease. The posters describe the band as "Add N to X" styles, which I will use here despite the fact I have no idea what Add N to X sound like, but it must be right. What I thought just from the stage setup and appearance was an immediate link to bands such as Nine Inch Nails, a link justified when the band put out a NIN cover mid-set. A synth, keyboard and guitar frenzy, some great vocals from front-girl Vivian, and all-in-all interesting and entertaining set from ther headliners.