Toad at the Old Exhibition Centre, Cardiff, 1st June, 2004.
Hurrah! A talent contest with credibility. A competition not steeped in backstage presentations of much maligned underdogs attempting to overcome adversity, and selling on their personalities more than their music. This judges the merits of the music, the atmosphere generated by the band, and the rapport with the ever appreciative audience.
Pop Idol may offer the greater exposure, but for many groups, Battle of the Bands competitions such as this are a necessity to get experience of touring, studio time, and endure the blemishes an apprenticeship such as this offers. There will be no instant audience, one suspects. Nor will there be hundreds of regular groupies going to every gig. At least, initially there won’t. The sound may not be pristine at every gig, and there won’t be the marketing machine that a Fuller/Cowell can attract, probably flyers or local paper ads at best. Yet for the winners of this final, that is more than enough to start on their journey. No doubt the winners of this final will be more than prepared to do things the hard way.
The successful turnouts of a respectful public mindful of their music, for each of the four heats, have meant this competition is set to become a series. One hopes this will not saturate the industry too much. That is the future. For now we must look at the inaugural Battle of the Bands competition final. As finals go, it was a tremendously strong field. After five fairly easy heats, the calibre of bands was pushed up a level. Quality songwriting and originality would be the order of the day, shining through all the covers and standard rip-offs masquerading as inventive bands. Five acts differed in style, but attacked the night with a common goal. Some were better than others; always the case with any competition, but their desire to take the hard route to success merits acknowledgement and respect at least.
Fat Wax began the night, offering ingenuous solid dirty rock. Nice and Muddy, exactly how Cobain would have liked it had he been alive today. Their sound was less derivative of obvious influences, unlike many of the bands of the past five weeks. Their opportunity to grow into their own identity is there for all to see. Their time will surely come. The Talk offered Standard blues licks meshed within original songs. The drummer, their only saving grace looked as if possessed by former Who legend Keith Moon. They were tight; the guitarist clearly had mastered his blues riffs from Zeppelin back catalogues, and were a strong favourite for success. A real crowd-pleaser.
Sweet Black Angels were pretty much an afterthought. Decent enough tunes, but nothing to write home about. In fact, probably the most ephemeral act on display here. Clipper; who offered the attitude, had very little distinctive in their arsenal to back it up with. In essence a Travis and Oasis rip-off; a vocalist’s whining inflection inflicted like a hybrid of Liam Gallagher and Kelly Jones, and turgid tunes making Don’t Look Bank in Anger seem like Beethoven. Let’s face it, the Neanderthal market is caressed contently enough with those ignoramuses than to have someone emulate them, let alone annoy whilst doing it. Songs became distracted by this, costing them their chance of glory. Shame really. If they walked the walk, more than talked the talk, focused on their originality, they could have made the judges decision harder.
Repeating their set that wowed the crowd in their heat, Formed were as engaging, if a touch diminished. The blitzing performance in the heat was not matched from the sound amplified in the final. Better sound system and live setup would have made both electric guitars audible at least. The balance of the arrangements not in the same league as their enthusiasm. Nevertheless, a band grateful to be together. Taking each gig as a milestone in their history, they served up plenty of positives of potential. Lead vocalist Craig Semmens bantered with the crowd, traipsing the borderline dissident/egotistical but just shading the right side. Without the vociferous arrogance of a Liam Gallagher, but the self-effacing exuberance of Michael Stipe. We at least can be grateful to him for that.
Of the five bands, three really looked in line for the two prizes on offer. Fat Wax, The Talk, and Formed; all had shown the promise that could lead to first prize of six gigs paid across the country, and studio time in a reputable studio in Wales. Second prize of a day in a reputable studio would be some consolation at least; providing education and opportunity for the band to refine their sound, professionalise their work, and come back as a more legitimate threat.
Very little to choose between the three bands in terms of sound, and musicianship. One suspects the judges’ decision came down to stage presence; working the crowd, enjoying being on stage, confidence, and enthusiasm in abundance. Of all the bands, Formed narrowly edged it through their expertise, their focus, and lead singer Semmens’ enjoyment of the limelight. His ubiquitous passion travelled across the ether and touched a receptive audience.
The judges offered Fat Wax an opportunity to refine their promising sound winning second prize of a day in a studio. No doubt, they will reap the rewards tenfold.
Finally, after electrifying the audiences, the judges concurred, offering Formed the glorious prospect of embarking on a six date nationwide tour; a platform to exceed expectation, and progress as a live act. A salubrious start for a band a decade in the making. Sadly with better equipment, better acoustics, comes the notches in character through the trials and tribulations yet to be faced. Playing tin-box venues to zero people at times, or good venues to multitudes of hospitable, avid listeners at others. Just ask Lowgold, Straw, and various artists praised by those in the know, but left hanging by those with the purse strings. The euphoria of winning will only sink in during the forthcoming weeks. The daunting task of playing outside their backyard awaits.
Craig Aston.
Comments?
Related Link: Formed Live
gc(uk) Email Advanced Site Search