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Reviews

The Sand Creek Massacre

Unsigned Showcase Bday Bash

By Linda Serck
Founder of Reading's Unsigned Showcase nights, Luisa Seacroft couldn't have celebrated her 30th in better company. Playing were The Noyze, Three Litre, The Sand Creek Massacre and Matador.

INFO

1. The Noyze

2. Three Litre

3. The Sand Creek Massacre

4. Matador

Unsigned Showcase

Colorz Bar

Station Approach

Reading

13/01/05

See the photo gallery by clicking on the right-hand links.

***See the photo gallery via the right-hand links***

Unsigned Showcase in Reading would be nothing without Luisa Seacroft. Tirelessly organising live local band nights throughout Reading has earned her the respect of bands across the country. It’s no surprise then that bands and music fans filled the Colorz Bar to help her celebrate her 30th, and the bands she chose to perform were only too happy to play in honour of the lady herself.

The Noyze kicked off the set without bassist, who had recently quit the band. The White Stripes they are certainly not however. Their usually raucous energetic indie rock failed to capture the crowd’s attention, who preferred to hover by the bar.

The singer’s voice is also atonal tonight, leaving only disjointed drumming and raspy guitars. The bass was conspicuous by its absence. The thin sound that spilled out the speakers left little punch to songs including Cry Baby, Bye Bye My Alibi and Got No Fear.

Then on came the mighty trio that are Three Litre. The band, fronted by the inimitable Graham Burgess, are known on the local scene as a bit of a comedy pub rock band who once were the support act for the then unknown The Darkness. Playing songs with themes revolving around women, women, cats, kittens and women, oh and a step daughter, their set chronicles Mr Burgess’s emotional journeys through life.

Backed by rolling guitars and a lot more than three litres of infectious energy, the band lean towards the fun rather than the serious. But fun is what we wanted tonight and the boys did not disappoint. That’s entertainment folks.

The mood swung to ultra cool when The Sand Creek Massacre boys strutted on stage. They seem to be stepping into Cooper Temple Clause’s shoes not only with their look (extreme barnets) but with a punkier set. Judging from the heated exchange of reader’s comments below my last review of TSCM (see link on right) whether they’re a ‘bootleg Cooper Temple Clause’ hits a raw nerve with their fans.

Judging by their move from the ambient to the high octane tonight, the TCTC comparison is all the more apt. Of course they played their most popular song, You’re Going To Save Me, but otherwise it was white noise all the way. Singer Matt’s high nasal voice seals the band’s distinctive sound, though he sings out of key quite a bit. However, they have some sort of X-factor, evident from the crammed crowd watching mesmerically and talk of the NME being there to see them.

Headliners Matador would nideed make a bull see red with their explosive hard rock. With vocals reaching high beneath razorsharp guitar riffs, their music certainly wasn’t there to wind down the evening. The thick slab of musical chaos they produced needs some fine tuning to make it sound like the rich multi-layered tapestry it should be.

Also the singer’s voice sounded very strained during his otherwise raucous performance. Most of the band were in the disbanded :heckler, a feisty rock band from Newbury, but Matador are much more hard core. With songs such as Chiaroscuro, Under The Weather and Saltwater, the band deliver an angry energy worthy of an army of wasps. Certainly a band to watch out for.

All proceeds are going direct to the Tsunami Appeal fund.

last updated: 14/01/05

Have Your Say

Sand creek massacres origninal groupey
Go on Karl you want to support the groupies!! I bet you'd make a great one, turn up at the fez gig on the 23rd and we'll determine whether you'v got what it takes!!

Karl
In repsonse to 'Sand creek massacres origninal groupey' It's tempting

Sand creek massacres origninal groupey
Karl, thanxs for the reply. I would erge you to take becky's advice, tscm are fab, honestly. And I'm glad that my groupie revival is being supported, i mean when do bands play better than when their supported my loyal groupies...cause not wanting to make myself lose all sense of credibility and dignity we groupies are equally as lovly to the fans...go on Karl join the regime

Charlotte
Did anyone actually listen to the Noyze? They had some pretty good tunes. They were the only band that didn't sound like a direct progression from some immediate bands out now (i.e TSCM - Hope of the States etc)

Becky
Karl-have you got a copy of TSCM's demo. You can download it at www.thesandcreekmassacre.co.uk if not. I would be interested in your opinion after hearing it.

Karl
Ms Groupie, I meant nothing personally. I just get annoyed when when average bands with haircuts sharper than their tunes get too much attention. I know having good looks can help, but when you put that round piece of silicon into your CD player all you get are the sounds. But I admire your passion. It's good to see people feeling something for local bands. As for Jon, you have a point... There aren't enought groupies in Reading!!!

Jon
Karl lay off TSCM groupey music needs groupies there are so few, i mean there just as much a part of music as the bands themself Rock on groupey!!

Sand creek massacres origninal groupey
Karl, I appreciate your comment, really i do I mean the fact that i use groupey for its irony i assume is not very blatant. So my apologies and i grasp the concept that i do appreciate the looks of TSCM but you must forgive me because unfortunatly being female i fall prey of these attributes and my brain leaves me so all I can value is what i see. Actually, wait i can appreciate that they are both musically talented and good looking because i understand that unfortunatly due to the shallowness and competitive nature of the music industry if you are aesthetically pleasing you are likly to succeed. And I am sorry you find TSCM not to your liking but then remember in the media evry text is aimed at an audience so perhaps your not in the niche audience. Oh and lastly, although i havn't seen hundreds and thousands of bands, being that i am only young i do know what i like, and lets be fair what stirs passion within me probably doesn't within you, I hope i have at least redeemed myself somewhat so give me some feed back please that is the only way i can learn after all !!!

Karl
Come on. TSCM are pretty average. Fair play to them, they do their thing, and they aren't too bad at it. But their thing is like many other bands' thing. As for "Sand creek massacres origninal groupey"... how many bands have you actually seen over the last few years? Of course, being a self-confessed groupie means you lose any respect that your comments might get. All you seem to be interested in is how good-looking they are. As for hair vs musicianship.... I think songwriting is much more important. All of the songs from each individual band on the night sounded the same, with little passion, panache or elan. Give me something to believe in, instead of an impression of your favourite bands.

Gonza
I really don't rate this review. Read back through the authors previous works and it's the same old tired cliches re-hashed. Noyze got better as it went on, Three Litre are much more than comedy rock, TSCM had a bad night and lost a lot of soundscape they usually have, Matador were very loud, with a great drummer

Betty
You cannot even begin to compare 'The Noyze' to any other band, and i don't think their intention was to be anything like 'The White Stripes' somehow. Quite frankly, there is no other band like 'The Noyze'. They are superbly unique. Maybe this is why people 'hovered by the bar' because they haven't heard anything quite like it, and just lacked confidence to move closer and open their ear's, eye's and minds and feel real, raw talent and charisma. Something that sadly seems lacking in so many other bands today.

martin
I found the noyze gave a storming delivery! the lack of bass just seemed to give the brothers more room to display their musical talents AND their personality. the noyze never fail to take the listener on a musical journey and the slighty 'atonal' vocal is part of the appeal (re Kurt?)...I think the audience's early apathy was probably due to the high ratio of SCM loyalty hovering the bar hoping for a shoulder rub (!!) ( PS Linda looked as gorgeous as ever....)

A non follower of fashion!
Oh dear we seem to have a problem with hair styles on this page. In or out of fashion, hair cannot play drums, strum guitars or write songs. Take a good look at the old rockers, Ozzy, Jon Lord, Glen Hughes, etc, all still going strong musically and with all their hair! Its the music that counts not the fashion in hair thank god!

Sand creek massacres origninal groupey
First may i suggest to all to get over the fact that Matt the lead singer of TSCM sings differently; he is great! do we tell Pete Doherty to sing properly? no we don't, so lay off. Secoundly, TSCM will be huge they are the sexiest blokes around and if there hair turns you off maybe you better open your eyes because half the indie community has hair similar, but there fabulous looks aren't the only thing going for them they have originality, loads of talent and as linda stated an X-factor. So everyone open up and embrace them cos there the future of indie!

Guy
missed the noyze, thought 3litre were highly entertaining but in my opinion destined to eternally be a pub band (which is fine) - TSCM were not my cup of tea - though i hesitate to add that they're probably only attracting attention mainly because their brand of indie rock currently being the "in" thing. Again not what i'd buy in the shops but matador nonetheless did have an edge for me - mainly because the evening needed a kick in the back side - riotous stuff.

Sophie
I think its amazing that the Sand Creek Massacre can have such an affect on people. To be wrote about in any form is an achievment,its good that your being talked about...what is it they say any press is good press.....have to say i was impressed with all the the bands, Matador-very entertaining to watch!!a CHARITY event with a difference.

Haggis
Three Litre were not entertaining. There is nothing remotely entertaining about old men stumbling about wearing 18 year olds clothes (white jeans!!!!) doing late 80s indie guitar rock unless it is in a mental hospital and then it is entertaining. I may get them to play at my wedding because then my Dad dancing will seem slightly less embarrassing.

Julian Gray
Well, at least they're getting talked about! I was there and think if they sort their singer out (ie. get him to sing in tune or leave) and get some dynamics into their set (it was all very samey) they could do well. I thought the first two bands were best and the last lot were just like every-other local band you see these days: indentikit angst with awkward time signatures (and a great drummer)!

Lee - The Trouble with Me
TSCM are definitely one of the best and most exciting bands bobbing about on the Reading music scene at the moment. Nice one boyos, keep it up.

Linda BBC Berkshire
In response to Terrence's message: Women are clearly possessed with the ability to do two things at once ;0) Just like I can sing along in the car and still be aware of traffic situations, I can take photos while listening to TSCM. I only take photos during two or three songs anyway. Your opinion is as valid as mine however, so thanks for writing. Linda

TERRENCE
i think she talks rubbish how can she write about the music when she spends the whole time taking photos? The Sandcreek Massacre were by far the better band of the night, the best sound in Reading at the moment.

Terry
TSCM weren't really very good were they? The singer has a very weak voice, and they weren't very tight at all. It all seems very reliant on "those haircuts". Oh well.