Live Review

Band Of Skulls – Classic Grand, Glasgow

• 10th May 2010

Band of Skulls entertained a large and boisterous crowd on Saturday night with a tremendously energetic and potent performance of real quality.

The Southampton based rock trio is making it big in the USA and returned to Glasgow as part of a headline UK tour. They wasted little time with chat as they tore through a bluesy set that delighted their fans.

Guitarist Russell Marsden stole the show with some tremendous guitar work, mixing power chords and tremolo heavy solos with some more atmospheric effects and feedback heavy riffs. He strode across the small stage, hair flying and legs kicking, almost making it into the crowd as he played frenetically at the very front of the stage.

He was ably aided by Emma Richardson on bass, her guitar slung low giving her the look of a female Ramone, and drummer Matt Hayward whose powerful beat drove the music along at a frantic pace.

The set was heavy on debut album Baby Darling Doll Face Honey, an excellent release that showcases the musical abilities of the trio. The opening I Know What I Am got proceedings off to a fast start. This was the track that really got the band noticed when it was chosen as iTunes’ free Single of the Week last year. New single Death by Diamonds and Pearls followed, bringing the crowd to boiling point as they strained forward to get closer to the music.

With vocals being shared by Marsden and Richardson there was variety as well as energy in the delivery and this came through very clearly on Friends. Richardson took the lead on Blood, her voice strong and clear in what was an excellent mix.

The set closed with Impossible. The long instrumental introduction was played almost on the dark with Marsden and Richardson at the back of the stage facing away from the audience. It built into the song itself, rising to a thunderous finish, and the band exited to howls of feedback. A one song encore, Hollywood Bowl, followed with the crowd joining in on the shout along element of the song. It was a fitting climax to an excellent hour of music.

Band of Skulls mix instrumental excellence with fine song writing, which results in an exciting fusion of rock and blues. They clearly love playing live and have the ability to thrill audiences with the power and, at times, subtlety, of their music. This band clearly has a talent that will take them far.