They’re as epic as Muse…as harmonious as Belle and Sebastian…as orchestral as the both put together…and as depressing as Dashboard Confessional on the day he’s told he’ll never actually be able to die and will always have to live on this, supposedly, god forsaken earth. Sounds fairly appealing doesn’t it? Well the small gaggle of indie boys in their chord, ironic badge pinned blazers, chanting every word of the band’s songs with a moronic expression on their faces whilst looking at the floor certainly seem to think so. The Dears were also nice enough to treat us to two support bands before coming on stage themselves, lovely chaps/ladies they are…if only they could learn how to smile!
Stealer were like a cross between a wannabe-Kasabian and a wannabe-Bob Marley and the Wailers and were really quite average. Trying to revolutionise the Edinburgh music scene with their “baggy reggae” and failing miserably, the lads’ set was fun but fairly bland and at times a bit agitating. They were very talented musicians but all bout 10 years too old to be starting out and really not as cool as they thought they were.
The “Support Band of the Night” award however most definitely should be presented to the very popular and very VERY good, Clearfall. The youngsters from Glasgow showcased their standard live songs with an extra sprinkling of new ones to keep everyone happy. “Lullabye” is as beautiful as indie/emo pop is ever going to be. With Gerry Lennon’s strong yet fragile, Scottish tinged voice echoing over the top of Martin Bowman (lead guitar), Niall Anderson (bass) and Gavin Rutledge’s (drums) simple, uber catchy and wonderfully sculptured music you can’t help but let a part of you be overcome by it all. “Honest” is another Clearfall staple that always goes down well with the crowd and tonight was no different. Its swooping chorus is amazingly simple yet ingenious and it really has a true sense of professionalism and is a great sign of the group’s maturity. “She’s Gone Away”, one of the more up tempo and better of the already very good array of songs the band play, and a live favourite, got the crowd moving and a few people were even caught singing along to its fantastic, if somewhat slightly high pitched, chorus. The new songs sounded equally guttural and moving as the rest of their set and I’m sure people are waiting eagerly to hear them once more. Some people may choose not to like Clearfall and class them as just another pop band claiming to be “alternative”…but they would be clearly mistaken. They look great, they command the stage and they have a sound that when re-created live loses none of its edge from when you hear it recorded. They are truly a band to look out for and should be the ones leading the pack of unsigned bands thrashing their way out of Scotland “the now”.
Having managed to set up two keyboards, a huge number of amps and an even larger amount of pedals in only a matter of minutes, The Dears came swooping onto the stage. Murray Lightburn (vocals/guitar) has managed to prove to the world, along with Kele Okereke from Bloc Party, that black men can rock in today’s world of indie just as well as anyone else. But not only can he and his band rock, they can scare you shitless too. “This is a summer of protest ... force is a language they understand, and force we will use.” Having that line sung at you by 3 people who all are showing no expression and look like extras out of Shaun of the Dead from their gormless faces really makes you expect your death to be imminent. But it still manages to mesmerise and inspire, it’s just so…gorgeous! Their songs last a very long time but there is never a dull moment. The songs may start slowly but there’s always an edge of suspense whilst you wait for one of their “pogo perfect” moments and all three guitarists mosh like nutters on stage whilst the drummer looks as though his arm might fall off if he hits the high top as hard as that once more.
This is most definitely indie at its best, but not indie that is associated with people who like wear cardigans at age 15, have discarded religion in favour of worshiping their own God, Fran Healey, and who don’t really have any friends. Sorry if I’ve just made any of you realise any stark truths about yourselves, really I am. But you lot, this music isn’t for you. It’s for people who like a bit of drama to seep from their speakers. It’s for people who want that feeling you get when you let music take your body over and carry it away to a sensory wonderland; and if that’s what you’re seeking then please let The Dears do that to you, because Coldplay just don’t seem to work properly anymore…you all know it’s true!
Review by Jason Edwards
www.thedears.org
www.clearfall.co.uk
www.stealer-music.com