DEVIL SOLD HIS SOUL

HEIGHTS

Glasgow Stereo is a small underground box with no soul and no atmosphere, so tonight’s gig is going to be a battle for these bands. A local opening act brings in cheers from their friends and the rest of the small gathering in attendance so far, but it’s nothing monumental. Heights are up next to attempt to make some waves with their brand of alt rock pop tinged electronica based hardcore. The crowd, tonight, just doesn’t seem to be going for it: a lot of bodies are standing still, no arms moving, no singing along, it’s all a bit dull. Whilst there are some good moments of musical skill on display, Heights seem to be just another band in the generic band gene pool on this occasion unfortunately.

DATE:

VENUE:

Tuesday 8th February 2011

Stereo in Glasgow, UK

Reviews by Siobhan Hogarty

FEED THE RHINO; HEIGHTS

FEED THE RHINO

Don’t be fooled by their somewhat ridiculous name, the main support tonight are a band of absolute quality live. Bursting onto the tiny stage in Stereo, Feed The Rhino cram into the small space as they practically explode with energy. Vocalist Lee Tobin flies around the front of the stage, hanging off and swinging near the crowd’s faces whilst he screams every word with conviction beyond belief. The band swing their instruments at alarming velocities, barely missing each other as they throw their bodies around the tiny stage – this band know how to put on a show and give their performance some grit and energy. Tobin then scales a jutting part of the wall and hangs from the rafters, still screaming his words to the baying crowd below (Feed The Rhino seem to have injected some atmosphere and energy into the previous slumbering crowd) before he shows this audience just how crazy he can be and makes a leap of faith into their outstretched arms. Feed The Rhino earned this applause tonight - they put on an excellent display. Definitely one to look out for in the future.

DEVIL SOLD HIS SOUL

Note to bands: If you have a long, winding instrumental intro which builds tension and some atmosphere, don’t then follow up this 5 minute long musical piece with nothing…silence…standing still on stage – it just kills it completely. Once Devil Sold His Soul eventually kick into a song with a bit of pace, you can see why they have their following. They seem to have the look down to a tee: they’ve got the moves onstage – the hair flicks, the kicks, the stage symmetry whilst headbanging – but it seems that there is just something lacking in their musical offerings. Whilst the screams work well and the harmony of the guitar work could be considered rather radical, it’s not perfect live, and it doesn’t seem polished. The atmosphere tonight isn’t building; there isn’t anything ravenous about this crowd – they don’t need this show, they don’t seem like they are loving every minute of it – and the band seems to reflect this slightly in effort. Devil Sold His Soul have sadly been pipped to the post by Feed The Rhino this evening, unable to match the standards set before them, but their offering was good enough for the true fans here tonight.