Live Review

The Banter Thiefs – King Tut’s, Glasgow

• 18th Dec 2010

The Banter Thiefs played an entertaining set to a large and enthusiastic crowd, making an impressive debut as a King Tut’s headline act. It was a fine performance to end to a gig that almost didn’t happen.

I arrived at the venue around the time the doors were scheduled to open, only to find the entire street in darkness. After telephone calls to Scottish Power it appeared that no one knew the cause, or when the power might come back on.

With two bus loads of fans known to be en route to the venue, members of the three bands on the bill, to their credit, were keen to try to find an alternative venue – the show must go on, after all.

Then, just as plans were being made, the lights suddenly went back on. And an impressively short time later the excellent King Tut’s staff had everything ready for the show to start.

First onto a pretty cold stage were Alkotron, a power trio whose rock sound features meaty power chords, a heavy bass beat and some slick guitar solos. All three members of the band share vocal duties and there were a couple of nice instrumental numbers in the set too. I was impressed.

The Begbies from West Lothian brought a large fan club along with them, several of whom joined the band on stage at different times. It was a chaotic scene, but the atmosphere was a party one. The Begbies, named after a character from Trainspotting, play good, fast indie music with a very clear punk influence. Their shout along choruses saw the crowd joining in enthusiastically and the closing cover of The Clash’s White Riot was very well performed.

The Banter Thiefs had also brought many fans to the venue. They all enjoyed a typically enthusiastic and committed performance from a young band that is building a fine reputation on the Scottish scene as a live act.

Their indie sound is fast and powerful, with solid power chords and a strong beat. But there are slower songs too, showing versatility and a lightness of touch on songs such as Don’t Forget Where You Come From. And there is a humour to The Banter Thiefs’ song writing too. Kilroy Silk is a song about Jeremy Kyle that wishes he could be replaced by the now largely forgotten talk show host.

Dave Clark fronts the band, standing tall in centre stage on guitar and vocals. Fellow founder member Derek Watson on bass also adds backing vocals and the band is round out by lead guitarist Keith Condie and drummer Darren O’Rourke. There is a tremendous energy to their performance and it is great to see musicians play with broad smiles on their faces.

The set was closed with Sly Tinnies from The Banter Thiefs self-titled EP, released back in March. It was a fine end to the night, a fast rocker with a driving drum beat and crashing symbols, and it left the crowd yelling for more. But the late start meant the curfew had long passed.

The Banter Thiefs are a young band who show a great deal of musical promise. They have an admirable commitment to performing and are already an excellent live act with a committed following. If they can translate that raw energy into the recording studio, the next year could be a big one for them.