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right-track · 10-04-2006, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by right-track

Going seeing them live this Saturday. Should be a good night.

Review Exile Parade - Dry Bar, Manchester.

Kez reports back on Exile Parade, a hot new band from North West England.

This might only be my second review, but there’s a theme developing. I was driving, so no drinking, Lauren was sick, and the venue was hella scary. Within 10 minutes of hitting the bar and getting a seat, we were surrounded by scallies in tracksuits who, having tried and failed to sit on my knee, decided I needed cheering up so offered me poppers.

Nice

And it’s the only venue I know that sells pregnancy tests from a vending machine in the bathroom.

Nicer.

Shortly before gig time, we headed downstairs to try get a good spot. We weren’t prepared for the queue… The door staff operated a one-in, one-out policy, which was fairly frustrating. I very nearly yelled “But I’m PRESS, LET ME IN DAMMIT”, but resisted as I noticed the band themselves hadn’t gone in yet.

Despite there being 5 bands on the bill, Exile Parade were the band to catch, according to my fellow queuers, who couldn’t stop themselves from bigging up the band.

Were they worth the hype?

Hell yes.

Opening with one track from their soon to be released double-A side, Fire Walk With Me (yes, it is a Lynchian title, but it’s not about that), the band launched into a blues-y rock-fest that had the audience spellbound. It was immediately clear why people outside the gig hall were raving about them.

Two guys behind me had a bet on when lead singer Lomax would get his shirt off. The one with the bet on the third song took the money. Quietly spoken off-stage, Lomax has immense stage presence, and puts his all into the songs.

And he’s not the only one. It’s refreshing to see a band that are passionate about what they’re doing. The playing is tight and faultless, and they’re clearly enjoying themselves onstage. They have a belief in their talent, and rightly so. There are no false promises here. From the songwriting to the delivery, everything is spot on.

The songs are fresh and yet timeless. While the bands influences are clear, no one can say that they’re a copycat band – the music is very much their own. The songs could have been written any time in the last 30 years, and they’ll still sound fabulous in 30 years time.

From the opening track to the last, Get Your Gun Boy, the energy and passion was constant, the audience appreciative.

It’s been a while since I’ve left feeling that I’ve seen something special. As a guy in the queue - Les - pointed out, this band were SUPERPUMPED.

Catch these boys if you can!

I can't believe I missed them.