Issue #4

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Slow Riots LIVE

Tempo Hotel, Fortitude Valley  

July 2012

A Sunday night is not part of the real weekend- it’s a grey period where hangovers from the real weekend are dwarved by the looming inevitability of Monday morning evil.  But nonetheless, there are always those who refuse Monday’s forthcoming. On the corner of McLachlan St and Brunswick Street lies the Tempo Hotel- offering free entry and a refuge to wait for a missed train. On that night were a few misfit bands who were turning up their amps as most people were turning in.  Thin White Lines, Junkyard Diamonds and Slow Riots were playing, but this writer only got to stumbled upon the last band, Slow Riots.  Members James Hilan, Shannon Kelly and Jacob Dawod took to the vastness of the Tempo’s main room without a care to who dared listen. Despite a chilled crowd and only 2 days of promotion, and guitars that needed setting up,  Slow Riots were there to preach their noise come hell or high water..

Playing new material and songs off their Bored EP, the live sound was nonetheless fat as ever. The power trio played their short and punchy verses, which were complimented with lush interludes of sonic noise. At other times, their chorus-saturated cleanliness gets instantly obliterated to nothing by ensuing walls of crunchy noise. This music is not for lazy Sunday nights- the pulse and power demands the energy of sweaty, intoxicating Friday nights. The band’s core is Hilan’s guitar, with everything else falling behind.

The bass pulsed unassuming rhythm and gave the needed low tone for when the guitar decided to cut into the highs. The drum’s groove provided the anchoring beat for both stronger choruses and for periods of droning, instrumental interludes that dotted their set. And whenever Hilan was free from vocal duties he was jumping around; oblivious to all else but his feel. It seems Slow Riots conceal stretched out, lengthened melodic guitar behind super-crunched tones and euphoric rhythm. When they ditch the distortion and thumping, what emerges is their core melodic guitar, which usually hides under the impressive heavy. 

Little Shadow

In the spirit of the Brisbane’s melting pot of indie and punk circles, Little Shadow follows that organic fusion with songs to match. They’re relaxed, they’re unassuming, yet the music’s got energy and  attitude. Members Ben, Nate, Mick, Shaun and Cam (also bassist for Swan Song), have created the urgency of punk with the attitude of indie rock. Their debut release, Possessions, shows a band who’ve made music to match Fires of Waco and Swan Song. Hopefully this fresh sounding band can pull it off live. So sit down, relax and get your mind blown by the sonic noise of Little Shadow.

Listen to: Altruistic, Tattoos are for Lonely People              

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Young Griffo

A bunch of lads with indie rock in their hearts and distorted guitars in their hands. The songs are screaming to be played live, and I’m sure it’d be no hard task with the amounts of fire and fuzz they’ve got at their disposal. Full of energetic rhythms, a disregard for sound barriers and bitterness towards lacklustre, Young Griffo is here for all who dare to listen. Opening for acts in 2011 such as British India and One Thousand Needles in Red, their efforts are making tracks-  including a place in 4ZZZ’s Hot 100 in 2010, Their latest release, the Tiny Island EP shows they’ve still got plenty creative fuel left to burn.

Listen to: Pennies, Tiny Islands              

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