EP Review : Biffy Clyro : Black Chandelier

The calm before the double album storm has been brewing in a settled sea just off of our fair coast, and it’s debatable if the double edged storm will cause any damage at all. Many will be holding doubt around the release of Biffy Clyro and their now imminent outing with ‘Opposites’ but for now we can sit and watch it brew nicely on the horizon with the EP release of ‘Black Chandelier’.

The rock 3 piece come sailing in gently with EP opener and title track ‘Black Chandelier’, everything we expect from the ever existent badge of approval we continuously hold for our flag baring Scottish counterparts. Spinderley (even if that isn't a word) guitar riffs we expect of Neil are present throughout, the bass build and drum break, the gentle ease and final all round smash...It’s all included within ‘Black Chandelier’, the perfect Biffy Clyro song. Lyrically Simon Neil is still driving us around the houses, plucking verses of confusion then translating them into simplicity. ‘Black Chandelier’ is the perfect medicine to follow their epic previous return of ‘Stingin' Belle’.

Following the opener is ‘The Rain’ a ballad of sorts, the expected bubble wrapped commercial based X factor chart pleaser, the most simple of songs which is a complete disappointment but not what we shouldn't expect of the only out and out rock band in the UK (minus Band Of Skulls and a few others). For if it wasn’t for a certain Matt Cardle and the over filling wallet of Simon Cowell, the ever growing plethora of fans from previous album release ‘Only Revolutions’ would cease to exist and the hardcore would still remain, for what thanks we have.

 The subject of weather continues to dawn on us with ‘Thundermonster’, which wouldn't have been out of place on the ‘Infinity Land’ track-list  A thrashing riff-driven rock track of which we expect from Biffy of the past, something that some still long to return. It’s nothing short or long of acceptance and if this is what is expected in the contents of ‘Opposites’, those fans who have just got a ticket and joined the Biff bandwagon could soon be in for a shell shock. The final track on the EP is a live version of ‘Many Of Horror’, the track plucked from ‘Only Revolutions’ and propelled into the public eye, the EP filler and fan collectible  We all know the real lyrics, sit down Cardle.

In a rocking chair on the front porch of a city somewhere non-existent, we all sit and wait with baited breath, a 90-minute storm named Biffy Clyro is waiting to hit land. We can all batten down the hatches or lovingly embrace, ‘Black Chandelier’ is the tornado taster which causes minimal damage, sit tight as the blackened sky approaches.

EP Review : The Planes - On Demand

How many bands do you know that is ½ formed by twins? Other than The Cribs, possibly not many. Portsmouth born and bred (we are making a habit of this), previous Wedgewood Rooms showcase finalists, previous ClubNME under-cards and all round talented 4 piece The Planes are imminently planning their first audio assault into the music world with debut EP ‘On Demand’.

This 4 track smash starts with the aptly named ‘See You Next Tuesday’ ode to the girl that’s led you on, to the guy that’s across the bar giving it some or the surrounding area, as you please. The Planes have matured since their showcase days, there is a much tighter edge to who they are and what they want you to hear, such is the age they are, we should all stand up straight and listen.

From the onset mid-noughties influences shine through, these youngsters were teething around the sounds of previously mentioned Cribs, The Kooks and The Strokes. The jangly-garage rock ensemble is perfected, vocally on form with not a note out of time. ‘Lose it’ follows with a foot tapping beat, a lyrical commentary from lead singer Mike Smith describes the moments of regret any male or female has felt in sight of the ex, or the girl/boy you lust for on a daily basis. The pent up sexual tension marred with pure emotion shines through the lyrics, these boys are growing up, with every page written (or ripped and thrown) the daily troubles of a teenager in the 21st century is ever present.

Title track ‘On Demand’ is the flagship in the first sail of The Planes maiden voyage, the all cannons blazing balls out indie love-esq song with duel vocals, the common twang and catchy riff partnered with a breakdown to add. The Planes fuse themselves within the local scene so easily, with room to flower in a bed that’s continuing to grow and prosper, age is a huge strength, picking the right opportunities they could well be on to bigger things in the near future.

Closing track ‘Stay The Weekend’ winds us up and out of this teenage angst ridden ride, another story based on the rumour mill of The Planes social surroundings, from the wrong decisions followed by the Chinese whispers. Like any boy should, it’s shrugged off like it will come out in the wash. They are musically tight and lyrically strong, young and ready to take on the world, well dressed and meaning business and The Planes first outing ’On Demand’ is a jab and roundhouse knock-out.

EP Review : Kassassin Street - Moloko Vellocet

One thing I pride myself on is covering the endless musical talent that Portsmouth has to offer, one band that are currently creating sounds that no other band in the city are Kassassin Street, a 5 piece previously introduced to SouthSolarCity when they supported Rolling Stone cover stars The Sheepdogs for ClubNME Portsmouth.

Back then they were on the brink of releasing 5 track EP ‘Finger On The Pulse’ a roller coaster recorded ‘in the middle of nowhere, in a barn’. Since then the band have gone on to storm a mid-afternoon set at The Wedgewood Rooms as part of Southsea Fest, to a widely near capacity audience that included myself. It is continuously clear from their most recent set that the band are ever growing and perfecting a sound that could be purposely morphed in many a direction. I pick up just under a week away from the release of new 3 track EP ‘Moloko Vellocet’ with a track run down and overall review.

It’s clear from the outset that EP opener ‘Play Dead’ intents to not do that, a social commentary run down (systematic/democratic/visual dreams with tattered seams) from lead singer Rowan Barnstable is bounded by pounding bass drum while conduced by the ever present pre-90’s shoe gaze guitar sound that Kassassin Street are forever converting to something more modern.

As building bridges goes ‘Play Dead’ could link continents,  the repetitive vocal of ‘I think that we play dead/and keep our heads under the cover’ that follows is somewhat resembling early Kasabian, aside a hybrid Charlatans/Stone Roses bacchanal until the track abruptly ceases.

‘Centre Straight Atom’ proceeds ‘Play Dead’ into a more raucous cataclasm of sounds, a lyrically more aggressive approach comes with a indie/electro edge, adjacent of the more contemporary bands of the late noughties. With their fingers on the pulse, this track has the ability to have feet tapping  and fists pumping among many.

Honorary mention goes to the magnificent drum skills of Kassassin Streets Nathan Hill (below) who continues to give and give to the cause, within the EP he is ever present and clear strong string in Kassassin Streets already strong bow.

If you've ever seen ‘A Clockwork Orange‘, the third and final track on ‘Moloko Vellocet’ is right up your street. ‘Talk In Riddles’ is hypnotising from the off, a psychedelic ode in which where the lead vocals from Rowan are mysterious yet brilliant, while every single member brings their own amount of workmanship to Kassassin Street the sound in which the band makes blends together almost effortlessly and ‘Talk In Riddles’ champions just that.

As the ever growing army behind Kassassin Street marches on ‘Moloko Vellocet’ boasts a maturing band moving forwards, while we can hear the influences the way the band adjust and twist leaves themselves space to grow and continue the journey they are on.

‘Moloko Vellocet’ is officially released on 13th of October at The Fat Fox in Southsea, Portsmouth.

EP Review : Kill Kasper : Stuck Between The Devil & The Blues In Drop C

In this small town of fakers and hopeful makers, we boast a mighty lot of hope upon certain genres of music. Certain crowds will attend certain gigs, friends will support and the local rag will slate and embrace in any way they feel fit. One band to stick to their proverbial guns with more regenerations than Doctor Who under their belts are Southsea rockers Kill Kasper, who have officially released EP ’Stuck Between The Devil & The Blues In Drop C’.

The 3-track smash slams in with ‘Start The Revolution’ the ever dulcet tones of The Kolonel wade in and the drums frenzy around anthemia rock and roll guitars. What’s clear from the word go is the two clear fingers if you disagree with what you are hearing, attitude backed with experience leaving you in a ludicrous position to argue any kind of point.

Speak to Kill Kasper personally and they will tell you the EP is a long time coming, but once heard you can excuse them with good reason. Kill Kasper do what they do in such a manner, with such technique and in such gentlemanly fashion that it all adds up and turns everything to 11.

Nobody within the city of Portsmouth do what Kill Kasper do as well as they do it, ‘Rock This City’ begs lyrically nationwide, in a ‘go and clean your ears out’ fashion or a ‘switch off the tele and turn on the wireless’ kinda way. Duelling guitars are once again prominent backed up by heavy bass line and drums, no faults here. It just goes on.

Closing track ‘Who Lied’ is a 7 minute ode to everything that has ever fucked you off, or fucked off the Kolonel…Here at SouthSolarCity, we aren’t 100% sure. Pounding drums around  the ever present Kill Kasper vocal mirrored by the swirling guitars build before a outright shattering chorus and immense solo licking bridge. One very emotional ride.

The first official EP outing for Kill Kasper is a roaring success ‘Stuck Between The Devil & The Blues In Drop C’ boasts future with the right amount of the past, everything they can be with not just a foot in the door but being able to swing it both ways. They’ve got the key to a big blue box, they’ve got a timeless sound and the attitude to boot, Kill Kasper are coming. I for one hope the world is ready.