Member Since: 6/7/2005
Band Website: none
Band Members: Pete Baker - vocal+guitarJames Hatchett - bass+vocalTom Kirby - drums+vocalAl Richardson - guitar+vocal
Influences: Firehose, John Frusciante, John Coltrane, Fugazi, Peter Tosh, Quasi, The Meters, Hoover, Northern Soul, Super Furry Animals, Jawbox, The Pixies, Aphex Twin, Q & not U, KRS 1, Karate, The Beat, The Beatles, Sly & the Family Stone...
Sounds Like: 'Four-piece Left Engine turn in a set of alternative rock that is actually different to most of the modern conglomerated shit out there. Somebody once called this style of music “angular†and though like so many journalists’ descriptions the word doesn’t say much in itself, the songs are certainly not smooth, each player playing off against each other and parts of the songs coming into their own… there’s two singers on stage but both know when to keep their mouths shut, when to let slow instrumental dynamics build loosely in a textured sound. Most representative is one slow-burner that sees the guitarist gurn the vocals, “You never really got in me – you just rattled the perimeter fence.†Pained but not angry, emotive constructive describes this set. I think they might like that band Fugazi. “I’m not free… but I’m cheap!†is the singalong chorus of a more humorous and rock’n’roll-styled song (particularly in its volatile solo), which they might do well to save as an explosive set-closer rather than penultimate throwaway – one to ignite an audience the band are sure to increase.' BEAT SKETCHING'This is one of the few occasions where a shit production doesn?t necessarily mean a shit band. Kudos for doing it themselves, but it does not do the band any justice, although it is still reasonably listenable unlike some demos I have received in the past!
However, get beyond this and there is a potentially good band here. As is more often the case, they save the better of the two tracks until last, but first track ?Time Learns? is interesting enough. A good chorus with a catchy enough hook to have you singing along to all interspersed with sporadic, but nicely timed drums and clean, funky guitars. They are a difficult band to describe, although not because they are particularly ?out there?, but more because they may actually have something new to offer.
The second track here adds to what the band can do brilliantly. Not as ?pop? as the first track, but far more interesting and thought out with good dynamics and even more sporadic and funky drumming. Some interesting guitar work also, particularly the jazz-like solo towards the end.Needless to say, despite all the good points here, the band still has a lot of work to do. The vocals are a bit too ambitious for their own abilities at the moment, but given some time and some healthy critique rather than the usual ?this is shit? throwaway comments that some people would dismissively throw at a band in their early stages and they may yet prove me right.' SOUTH SCENE-2005
Type of Label: None