03 April 2009 (gig)
10 April 2009
The music event Edinburgh has been waiting for is finally here. Amazing bands and exciting new talent will be taking to the stage in Studio 24 as Orange Slice Records present Powerup: monthly gigs at a solid, well-established venue that are a new way to experience live music in Edinburgh. Headlining the first event are Hundred Reasons with support from indie sensation Johnny Foreigner and supercharged Scots songsmiths The Void.
The Void opens the evening with their instantaneously captivating and witty sound. The Void incorporate a catchy pop rhythm with indie beats and their trademark epic pauses, making them a tasty treat for the opening night. The Void are a young Death Cab mixed with the sounds of similar Scottish acts Biffy Clyro and Twin Atlantic. The Void are a band to watch a thousand times over as their fresh and simply heart-warming sound is one that will set them in stead for bigger things.
Next on is Johnny Foreigner, a London-based trio with an eclectic taste for fast, furious and modern indie-electric-pop tunes. Johnny Foreigner provide and alternative punk feel, complete with screaming vocals and upbeat songs that propel themselves at you with an incredible speed. These alternative youngsters clearly require an acquired taste for odd-pop and are not for everyone’s liking, but tonight in Studio 24, the stage is ablaze with the energetic Johnny Foreigner.
The headlining act Hundred Reasons take to the stage with a nostalgic rendition of ‘I’ll Find You’ setting the crowd into a frenzied pit of rage that keeps up throughout the entire set. Hundred Reasons don’t introduce themselves or even indulge in a second of crowd banter; but why would they when a lack of chatter frees up an extra 4 minutes to belt out another tune?
Hundred Reasons are loud and heavy, providing metal-come-rock gems. The lyrics are hard to make out, but they are not the main focus of this music. The speciality of the music comes straight from leadsinger Colin Doran’s vocals as he forces out every word with screaming integrity. As he falls to his knees and looks to the sky in their final song, it’s clear to see that these vocals are hard to keep up, leaving dedicated fans looking up in awe as he screams his way right to the end.
Hundred Reasons undoubtedly found their biggest success in 2002’s ‘Ideas Above Our Station’ and, despite being struck twice by the collapse of their record label, prove tonight that the singles from this album are still as popular 7 years down the line. Their one almost ballad ‘Falter’ is by far the highlight of the set as the highly charged atmosphere calms down and enjoys the nostalgia of a great band.
Tonight’s gig in Studio 24 propelled Powerup to the forefront of the Edinburgh music scene. With We Are Physics and Mudhoney set to play future events, this monthly event is one to keep an eye on. The first Powerup show was a belter, with Johnny Foreigner bringing their alternative odd-pop to Edinburgh and Hundred Reasons relighting the screamo-rock from the start of the decade. Tonight also showcased local band The Void as they undertake in a Scottish Easter tour.
