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Alternative Britain :: General :: Gig Reviews :: Xms3 - DeMask - Global Parasite - Holyhead 8/4/07

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Topic: Xms3 - DeMask - Global Parasite - Holyhead 8/4/07 (Read 1,214 times)

Green Dragon
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Xms3 - DeMask - Global Parasite - Holyhead 8/4/07
« Thread Started on Apr 18, 2007, 9:47am »

OK so I'm lazy. It's been 10 days since the gig and I'm just typing up this review.Why do people want my opinion anyway? It's not as if it makes any difference. Well that's not strictly true. If I stroke your ego I'm the best reviewer of all time, if I'm slightly critical I'm just a cunt who doesn't know what he's talking about. Perhaps this is why I don't write many reviews. Sure I have opinions but tend to give them on a face to face basis with whoever is concerned. But I was there, I said I do a review so now I must do so.....

It's Easter Sunday afternoon in Holyhead. Local band Xms3 have decided to hire the local community centre to give the music loving kids of the town something better to do than walking around a closed town avoiding the floating gangs of chavs. Bit of a mistake choosing today to hold it. The vast majority of Xms3 local support is still under 18 and still under certain parental control as far as "It's Easter and you're coming to see Auntie Lilly" is concerned. But it's happening and as the small crowd drift into the hall to find a place lining the walls (I found this too funny -- with all the bravado these kids make when let loose normally, you put them in an alien environment, like Newry Community Centre which is used to hosting pensioners afternoon teas and council run community discos, they line the walls in small groups, fidgeting uneasily as if summoned to the head teachers office for being caught smoking behind the physics lab)

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So then first up we have Global Parasite (above), a band who I'd only heard from their MySpace page. The fact they were from Rhyl and have been vocal on this forum didn't influence me -- OK it did, I wanted to hate them. I don't really know why that was, maybe I'm just anti Rhyl bands. Again I don't know why that would be either, they've never done anything to upset me. Maybe it's the old "Rhyl is the centre of the North Wales music scene" attitude that some people hold. I don't know. But anyway GP take to the stage, well floor, well stage and floor - the Newry CC only has a small stage , just big enough for the drums and back line, meaning anything else has to take to the floor in front of the stage. I wanted to hate this band. It's Easter Sunday in Holyhead, a time for families to get together, the annual pilgrimage to the chapel, the time for peace, love and Global Parasites?

Forget all that shit, these guys open their set by hitting you straight between the eyes. They aren't here to compromise. They aren't a cabaret act, these guys are hardcore. Full of anger, rage and spitting fire as they launch headfirst through the pane glass window of your ears. Ezza Brute and Dave Cox (guitar & drum respectably ) share vocal duties -- I say vocal, make that shouty duties. They "scream at the world" over the top of a thunderous beat and thrash guitar. Matt Misfit rocks steady, supplying the bass line that pulls the sound together. I do feel perhaps Matt should get in on the act a bit more, what with the rage and torment of his band mates he looks a little lost stood alone tapping out the rhythm with Converse All Stars as the other two threaten to disfigure the collective brain cells of those watching. There is nothing clever about Global Parasite, no pretence, no we're going to feed the world, they are angry and they are going to tell you about it whether you want to listen or not. Blistering set that in the right environment, given the right crowd, I imagine GP would whip up a storm. But Easter Sunday afternoon in Holyhead? I think they shock-rocked a few people.

Not content with their aural assault as soon as their set finish Dave Cox is wandering around the crowd, hand full of CDs " Buy our CD" he's telling, not asking, telling those who are unfortunate enough to get caught in his eye line with the same worrying smile that your older brother has when he says he wants your Easter eggs. I wanted to hate this band but couldn't. I'm not going to say they are in my top ten bands to see again, but I did put my hand in my pocket a volunteer a quid for a CD and I got a badge too. I now feel safe to walk the streets of Rhyl again.

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The silence was almost deafening as a quick back line change took place, readying for DeMask (above) to take their place at the front. Not unknown in these parts this band has grown up in public. First time I saw them I thought somebody was having a cruel joke. A novelty act I called them at the time. But despite their young age, and I know they are probably sick of hearing that, they are getting there. Now with a second guitarist in the shape of NeMo the band are starting to find their musical feet. Their own style. They are looking and sounding comfortable with what they are doing. There is no denying they are all talented musicians but in the past I've felt they have playing songs too much by numbers, without feeling and any real emotion. Last time I saw them there was too many covers. Not any more, apart from just two that I spotted the rest of the set is made up of all their own work. Gone are the tinky winky vocals (Crud's description not mine) of Amy. She now powers her delivery to suit the pop-rock style they are slowly adopting. I think the guys in the band may want to be even heavier than they are, but I say please, don't trying to run before you can walk. You are getting there. You have a tight set, you've learn a bit of stage craft, the art of entertainment but don't go over board.

This band has a future but honestly I don't know what it is yet. Maybe they will get adopted by the Welsh language music scene (as they write in both Welsh and English -- in fact have two sets of lyrics for their songs, one in either language) or maybe they will out grow themselves and go off individually to do their own things in different directions. But for now they are loving what they are doing, and good on them. Their love for the music has taken them place many bands their senior would kill to have been.

Final thoughts on DeMask? You got two guitarist use them, let's hear more twin lead breaks. Drop the G'n'R ending, it's become tired now. Apart from that keep on rocking and enjoying what you do. Sorry if I sound patronising but you're young, you've got plenty of time, use it wisely, work on your set, work on your entertainment value not just the technical side of your music.

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So here we are then, Xms3 (above) up next. The hall has emptied as the smoking ban forces many outside for a ciggie and a chat. As we drift back inside I realise that I know very few of the crowd. Remember, Holyhead isn't that big a place but I see that most of the usual suspects that follow Xms3 around aren't here. That in itself proves to be a blessing. It's been well documented my association with this band in the past and should at this point be noted that even though I'm no longer involved in their career I do take an interest in what they are doing (you don't dedicate 5 years of your life to something/body/band without still holding some fondness) It's that feeling like when your bird runs off with your best mate, you call her every name under the sun but you still want to shag her.

Xms3 complete with new drummer (is that their 10th or 11th?) come back home. Not that they have actually been anywhere but have been locked away recording their first album and have kept gigs to a minimum. I was interested to see how they had developed/changed/improved in their time away from the live scene. How can I say this without sounding bitter? I think Dan (bass/vox) said it best when he asked the crowd "Who are Xms3?" OK new drummer, lack of time, no live work for ages --all valid excuses, but at the same time no excuses.

Xms3 have organised this gig, they knew about it before anybody else, they could have cancelled it. To be honest it is sheer laziness I see on stage. A band trying to play on their past glories(?). Playing to a home town audience who should love them, forgive the sloppiness of their set, ignore the dodgy harmonies that were once a highlight of the songs. With a hometown crowd, they may even pardon the occasional missed cue. But they didn't. Once upon a time when Xms3 played anywhere in Holyhead it was an event. Whole families would turn up to watch, bring picnics and the mayor would declare a holiday. The venue would be bouncing, there would be a sense of fun and good times. Not today. I'm sorry guys but you need to take a step back, re group and think about what you are doing.

America beckons Xms3 later this year. Their first album will be released. But they need to learn that just because they talk the talk they have got to walk the walk as I know they can do. Forget the hype, forget MySpace girlie squeals of you're great. Get back to basics. Get back to what you do best. With Jake and Dan up front and song writers, I personally feel you could have a modern day Lennon and McCartney or at least Noel and Liam but today they were more like Bill and Ben

To me they have 3 options: Get down to business and do it right, call it a day and try something new or be content with playing near empty venues in Holyhead for a long time to come.

I'm looking forward to seeing Xms3 again and soon. Over the years I've seen them many times, been close to tears on many occasions because they have performed at such a high level, whip up a crowd to a frenzy. I've felt like a dad when his son scored his first goal for the school team. I've had shouting matches with them when they have let themselves down knowing they could have done better, but I can say hand on heart today was the worst I've every seen them. Here's hoping it's just a glitch in the well oil Xms3 machine.

There you go, my opinions, for what they are worth.

GD

« Last Edit: Apr 18, 2007, 9:57am by Green Dragon »