Live Review

Strawberry Ocean Sea – 02 ABC, Glasgow

• 28th Aug 2011

Strawberry Ocean Sea played a fine set in Glasgow last night to launch the second part of their new double A side single. The two support acts also played their part in what was a fine night of local talent.

Holy Esque were first on stage. With two guitars and a keyboard but no bass their rock sound was a little different. The distorted guitars gave a dynamic approach, aided by some tremendous drumming. Rose was a fine song, with the lead singer switching to the keyboard, while the slower Loneliest Lonliness also stood out. A young band with talent who should develop further.

The Rudiments were playing their last local show before heading off on tour to promote their album Doctor Bone’s Fried Medicine, from which most of their set was taken. The opening On Your Own and Cardamom were highlights from the regular set, while an excellent new song, Make Fire, featured typically fine vocal harmonies on a folk sounding track that also featured some fine lead guitar work and big feedback howls. This was a high quality set from an always entertaining band.

Strawberry Ocean Sea have a rich, multi layered sound featuring twin guitars and keyboards that back the strong vocals and anthemic choruses very well There is power but also strong melody to their music, with the lyrics often inspiring, in contrast to their dark indie sound.

With the stage bathed in a combination of smoke and red light there was an atmospheric setting for a good display form the band. The two halves of the single release were the highlights from the set. To Live has some great harmonies and a driving drum beat allied to lyrics that inspire to listener to live as they feel they should.
Down By The River, the previously launched part of the release, tells of struggling to survive yet also of finding faith in a better life.

Jonny Skinner led the band from the front, his vocals strong and clear, and he also dispensed with his guitar on one track, prowling the stage, mic in hand, in true rock star fashion. He was superbly backed by Richie Bell on bass and Cobo on drums who set a strong backbeat. Stuart Kennedy on keyboards and lead guitarist Greg Kenney provided the finesse and set some delicate melodies.

The band finished with their signature song, SOS, its up tempo pace and driving beat hurtling the show to an epic conclusion. And the reaction of the large crowd showed how much they had enjoyed a short but high quality set.

Strawberry Ocean Sea are a young band with a big future ahead of them. And their growing reputation as a live act, with several summer festival appearances behind them, was shown to good effect on this lively and entertaining set.