Wired Desire + Heavens Basement + Lycanthrope
Edinburgh Liquid Room, 13th July 2008
For a Sunday evening in Edinburgh, the Liquid Room is looking pretty full. But then this gig is in aid of charidee, so I guess the good rock folk of Auld Reekie have made a special effort – as have tonight's bands, who, bless 'em, are all playing for free.
First up are local lads Lycanthrope. I was about to say that I'll choose my words carefully here, as these reviews have a habit of coming back and biting me, but to be honest I'm somewhat lost for words altogether: the cacophonous onslaught of heads down Megadeth-style flying V trhash and full-on cock rock screaming left me pretty much speechless. Fronted by Noel Fielding doing his impression of Mick Jagger (and, for some unknown reason, sporting sensible school shoes, which look a little strange perched up on the monitor), they're so raw you could serve them in a bento box with wasabi, but there's certainly a spark of something there – even if, at the moment, it's hard to say what.
Next up are the refreshingly straightforward Heavens Basement, once known as Roadstar, aka the band we missed at Milton Keynes a few years back. Shame, because there's nothing bargain basement about this likeable mob of skinny-arsed Brit rockers. They have great hair, they have good tunes, rocking an AC/DC meets GN'R vibe, and they exude laid back, good time, old school rock'n'roll attitude. Hooray!
Finally, we round off the night with a set from Wired Desire, a band who seem to get better every time we see them. Aussie AC/DC acolytes Airbourne may be getting all the rock kudos at the moment, but these Scots lads could easily steal their thunder if they don't look out. The tracks from their new EP, Barely Illegal, are mini rock gems, particularly the GN'R-tastic 'No-one Sleeps' which would stand up well in a far bigger venue. Mixing energy and charisma with catchy, down'n'dirty rock riffs and the obligatory good hair, Wired Desire are a band to watch out for. Even on a Sunday night in Edinburgh…
Heavens Basement + Wired Desire + Peep Show, 12th December 2008
Wired Desire + Kid Ego + Rock Junkie, 18th December 2007
Wired Desire + Peep Show + Dirty Angels + JMC, 27th February 2007
