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Ballboy: Scotland's finest

Ballboy injected the beautifully draped small room with some of the most original rock tunes.
20 juni 2002, The Venue, Edinburgh (UK)

Tekst: Sven Schlijper

Publicatiedatum: 19 juli 2002

SL Records showcased Edinburgh's most talented bands. Personally, I like to taste some of the local musical vibe whilst on holiday abroad. Be it by checking out record stores or music magazines or even by visiting a gig. Last year's visit to Scotland was planned around two shows by Glasgow's Belle and Sebastian at the Barrowlands. This year my show attendance was a happy coincidence, not planned on beforehand. The roommate that had helped me obtain two gems by Arab Strap and The Sick Anchors (I reviewed them some time ago) immersed herself into the Edinburgh music scene quite neatly. Which brought along the opportunity to become newly acquainted with some bands I most likely never would have otherwise heard of, as she tipped me off on Degrassi and some other SL Record signings.

The Venue gig featured three bands from the SL roster, with their most cherished one headlining. First up was Odeon Beatclub: a typical Scottish act with a couple of nice tunes. The strong melodies and fragile female vocals hinted at the well-known Belle and Sebastian sound. However, it was the closing song of their short set that really kicked the band fully into gear with a steady rock groove. This one did, in fact, go on for quite a while, but could have gone on even longer, as far as I was concerned. I am very much looking forward to hearing records by Odeon Beatclub.

The Starlets were up next. Featuring a singer (Biff) possessed with a high-pitched voice, and showcasing strong song material, The Starlets brought along a feeling that yet again can be linked to Glasgow's finest, happy summerbreeze songs. Not to say they are a copy-paste rip-off! They do have an originality in their sound, but with the Scottish drone, brass, and violin onstage, The Starlets did fit perfectly into the framework put up by more accomplished Scottish acts.

Things got even better when Ballboy took the stage. The sound was way better, as was their stage appearance. This band certainly showed their experience. Sounding more edgy and powerful than on their recording, Ballboy injected the beautifully draped small room with some of the most original rock tunes I've heard emerging from the UK. Lyrically, the talent level was extremely high, displaying loads of humor, irony, twists and turns. The best way to describe the feeling after the show is to hold on to the initial feeling I had: I witnessed a superb set led by a guy, Gordon McIntyre, best defined as a modern-day, young Elvis Costello. Although the elder's anger and aggressiveness was absent in McIntyre, those new little hands of concrete rocked the house with stunning songcraft, a cool but sulky appearance, and amazing lyrics. Ballboy proved to be one of the nicest surprises in quite some time.

SL Records managed to put on three bands that night, worthy of a good listen and big audience. For everyone into Scotland's finest pop music: These acts are worth checking out. It still amazes me to see so much good music originate from the beautiful cities and landscapes of Scotland. Dazed and confused, I left for home, hoping I that I'd be able to see and hear more of these true gems.

http://www.kindamuzik.net/live/ballboy/ballboy-scotland-s-finest/1708/
Meer ballboy op KindaMuzik: http://www.kindamuzik.net/artiest/ballboy