Brit pop’s back and it’s go a beard! Well maybe, those bouncy rhythms and effortless vocals that capture the attention quickly spills into 90s American indie rock stylings, fast powerful beats complimented by intentionally lackluster vocals.
This is all in the hands of a support, and Manchester’s Milk Maid deliver a set full of pop credentials, these guys could be very popular in the 90s, all they need is a hit and the kids would lap this up. However there’s no kids here, in fact there’s barely anyone here, surprising considering the clout of tonight’s headliners, Pitchfork love them and everything.
There’s next to no one here hen they take the stage too, Glasgow get your act together! It’s 20 to 10, maybe early for Sleazy’s but still. When The Fresh & Onlys take the stage that give that country kids vibe, covered in hair and plaid, but these guys hail from San Francisco, cool town, no?
Their songs carry you back to the 60s, live a pounding rhythm blasts them forward while vocalist Tim Cohen with eyes fixed to the ceiling. All dreary beauty that should fill a room but Sleazy’s is void of atmosphere tonight.
‘As the set approaches its mid point Waterfall’ captures all the best aspects of this band, lyrics that hit home immediately over inspired rhythm bringing the song home in splendid fashion.
It appears the band are finally getting into their stride after a slow start, ‘Fascinated’ brings in that 60s folk pop vibe and the band’s energy seems renewed as they power through ups and downs before introduction a new song, which impressively keeps up the momentum without having the familiarity, maybe something to look forward to.
That momentum continues as the band get further into their set, getting into their groove, finally everything seems to be running smoothly. Surely I’m not the only one digging this. These guys should have a bigger audience.
The last couple of songs bring a touch of movement from the crowd, ‘Until the End of Time‘ has an almost marching beat and a bouncing bassline which sets toes a tapping and the band into a powerful ending, before bowing out with ‘Peacock & Wing’ and a “thank you, I’ve never met a real Scottish person before” from Cohen.
Photos: Ka Man Hung
