Gig Review

McQueen
Plus Ghost Of A Thousand, Plastic Toys
Southampton, Joiners
21st January 2007


McQueen                    Ghost Of A Thousand    Plastic Toys
              

Plastic Toys were a band I'd previously never heard of, local to Southampton. But I'm glad I saw them. A lot of people that had turned up, knew of the band and everyone was very friendly, they hadn't necessarily come for the other bands, they didn't know them really, The Joiners was just a place to go in the evening that allowed you to see awesome bands, and get into new things.

They were a four (occasional five) piece, who just played decent rock music. A female bassist in an illegally short dress, which wasn't such a bright idea for a high stage, a guitarist who looked like Action Man on crack, a (sadly) nondescript drummer, and a vocalist dressed in black with a subtle hint of Gerard Way. And his girlfriend made up the occasional fifth member, on backing vocals.

Their set consisted of seven decent songs, “Devil,” “Feel The Love,” “Still Live,” “Superfreak,” “Dirty,” “Tonight Only,” and a memorable cover of Peggy Lee's “Fever,” with an awesome riff made by some sound that I couldn't quite work out where or what it was coming from.

Perhaps it was the fact most for the crowd knew them that they appeared to be doing so well, or perhaps it was just genuine talent. I'm hoping for the second, these guys are really something special. They just need to break out of Southampton, for fear of turning into a “house-band.” Not as in playing house music, oh you know what I mean.

The second band on were Brighton screamo/hardcore/metal rockers, Ghost Of A Thousand, (whose acronym interestingly, is goat.) This five-piece loomed over the front of the stage, with the feet placed firmly on the monitors and just well and truly rocked out, with the vocalist virtually devouring his microphone, one hand clasped behind his back, twisting and jerking from the waist, as the rest of the band played along, staring open-mouthed out into the crowd, or up the neck of their instrument.

“New Toy” was the opener, followed by “Bored Of Math,” which has an awesome intro, and definitely one of the band's strongest songs. Then followed “Left For Dead,” and “Black Art Number One.” It was some time around “Up To You,” or “Married To The Sidewalk,” that the vocalist lurched off the stage and bounded into the crowd. Jumping around screaming in a small area the crowd had quickly departed from after his descent from the stage. A one man circle pit, grabbing onto anyone who appeared to be singing along and generally doing his thang.

“One For The Road,” and “The Last Bastion Of Heaven Lies Abandoned And Burning” finished off the set.

Now, even if you aren't into that kind of music, which I'm not really, you still have to admit that was one awesome show. Full of energy and action-packed, and no need to look away at any point. Sheer awesome.

And then, after two incredible bands, could McQueen pull off the unknown and make it three out of three awesome performances? Well, in short, yes, they could.

The female foursome strolled onto the stage, and took their positions, the vocalist dressed in black and big knee-high boots that she said are “made for walking.” All the band were in black, and started off with an introductory noise-fest, which broke into the drum intro to “Not For Sale,” an awesome track about guys patronising girls and talking to their breasts. Anybody stood completely still? No, I thought not.

Next song was the greatest song they'll possibly ever write, “Running Out Of Things To Say,” a just plain brilliant track, and then “Dirt,” apparently the drummer's favourite.

The vocalist kept leaning out off the edge of the stage and crouching down and staring into the eyes of every person in the crowd, the drummer bashing away, guitarist having a whale of a time, and the bassist just calmly playing on the spot, managing to conveniently get into perfect photo poses.

“The Line Went Dead” and “Break The Silence” followed, the latter having a fantastic tom-based drum beat through the verses, and a heavy riff that makes the hairs on the neck stand on end and appears to come out of nowhere. Something you'd expect to hear from the amps of much heavier bands. Insanely good.

After “Blinded” came “Don't Know How To Break It To You,” an upbeat song with a heavy dosage of poppy-punky-riffs and general good fun.

The opening track to their album “Neurotic” came now, a heavy track that, if “Break The Silence” didn't send shivers down your spine, then this would. And if this didn't, then you're actually brain-dead.

The closing song, was “Bitch,” with a brief fun-filled riff which didn't really last long enough, before breaking into verse, chorus, etc, you know how it goes. Not necessarily the greatest or hard-hitting, but not bad at all.

And so that was that, the band were gone. Hard-rocking Brighton girls through and through, who know how to put on a great show, and make great music. The third band of the night, and the third to be awarded full marks. A truly fantastic night.

Review By Thom

 McQueen

Leah Duors (Vocals)
Cat de Casanove (Guitars)
Hayley Cramer (Drums)
Gina Collins (Bass)
 The Ghost Of A Thousand

Tom Lacey (Vocals)
Memby Jago (Drums)
Andy Blyth (Guitars)
Jag Jago (Guitars)
Gez Walton (Bass)
 Plastic Toys

Jon Plastic (Vox, Guitars, Synths)
Si Jackson (Guitars, Vocals, Synths)
Kitty Brooks (Bass)
Drums (Ben Coley)
 Band Related Links
McQueen Myspace
The Ghost Of A Thousand Myspace
Plastic Toys Myspace
 Review Score Code
- Top Cheese
- Brilliant
- Pretty damn good
- Ok I guess
- What Was That?