All For One 2003, 7th Febuary ' 03 @ Craigrothie Hall

Review by Magumba

I've said it before and i'll say it again : trepidation follows me to events like this! Initially things didn't look good. By my own admission i only had myself to blame. Traveling more than two hours to see bands that i had only heard on MP3 only to find out there wasn't a bar in the venue. ' They better be good ' i thought as i forlornly settled for a can of Fanta and a packet of Cheese and Onion. I was pleased to say my worrying had been in vain.

King Cholera took to the stage first. A difficult position to be in but the openers equiped themselves well. A tidy, little three-piece thundering through there set with some good guitar work and an impressive stage presence. Stage fright was not on the agenda. Real confidence shown by these boys as they made folks sit up and take notice. It had begun! The only downside was that it didnt last long enough.

Straight on to Head Cleaner. Another three-piece. And an intense and melodic one at that. The obvious comparison could be made to a certain Seattle sound but more lies here. Not so much swagger as a loose, noble dirge. Low slung bass, heart-wrenching lead vocal and the inevitable rock out at the end. Held together by a heavy/gentle drum sound that draws you in as it blows you away. I was suprised to here that Ad was Head Cleaner's eleventh drummer in almost as many gigs! A frightening statistic. Lets hope he's a keeper! I was enjoying myself now.

Two bands in and i liked both of them very much. Whos next? Wisechild? If there is one fact that i know is true its that there is always someone who will ruin it for everyone. Plonked right in the middle of the gig like a big, bland, shit spider. This is the band called Wisechild! As you can tell i was underwhelmed. The enthusiasim for this band was very much undeserved and smacked more of sympathy than appreciation.

Drums constantly ahead of a seemingly oblivious bassist and guitars whining like a dog who needs put out of its misery. The musical equivelent of Shingles. However i reserve most of my bile for the lead...er...singer. If he had spent some time learning the lyrics it would have been a start. His constant shrugging made me want to forcibly fit him with a neck brace. And his attempts at audience participation consisted of him gurning and waving to his mate in the front row. Not a good front man in my opinion but you may have gathered that.

If there is an antidote for Wisechild it is State Of Affairs. I sat wide-eyed and watched this young band preform with the confidence of musicians twice there age. Powered on by the flawless young trappist Lennie. If Jack White could stay away from Meg's ass long enough for the ghost of Keith Moon to have a pop, this little drummer would be the offspring. Smashing guitars, great songs and all the attitude in the world. Amazing charisma on stage and a power-ball of a guitarist. ' The Clash ' emblazoned on his chest. Strummer must have been smiling down. Tearing at his guitar, exploding of his monitor like dynamite in trainers, face contorted in a mask of emotion. If he had screwed up his face any tighter, his eyes would have fallen out of arse. Impressed.

Chug, the band i was here to see, and i wasnt dissapointed. A heavier more intense sound than their recordings and all the better for it. These lads put on a good show. A vocal sound that reaches inside your head and fiddles with the bits you dont talk about. Lyrically clear and emphatic. You can feel the loss, the hope and the inevitable sorrow in songs like ' Dying Star'. Well constucted and tuneful and fantastically brought to life. Quite frankly...amazed! Ildewild are an obvious influence on Chug but they are not copyists.

They have a unique live sound hard to describe. Whatever it is they do, crowds love it and i loved it. All in all an eclectic but impressive showcase of talent with only one exception. Damn you Wisechild!