Live Review

SOS – Stairway Club, Glasgow

• 23rd Jun 2012

SOS is the new shortened name of rockers Strawberry Ocean Sea. But the excellence of their live performances remains the same, as they ably demonstrated last night in Glasgow. The show at the Stairway Club, a relatively recent addition to the city’s fine network of live venues, launched new single Carry On Suzie with a blistering set.

The night was opened by Somatic, a local Glasgow band with a potent two guitar rock sound. They played a good set full of power chords and powerful vocals, impressing with a solid series of songs. Opener Angels and Demons set the tone well and the slower, melodic introduction to The Last Night showed that they have a softer side too, although the track soon burst into life. Somatic are a band I would like to see again.

Second support act The Snuts, a young band from Whitburn in West Lothian, were less impressive than the openers. Their two guitars, bass and drums indie sound was basic and the vocals a little indistinct despite the excellence of the club’s sound system. The band has potential but seemed a little uncoordinated at times, lacking the necessary musical cohesion. Their lead guitarist was the stand out, offering some lovely fills.

SOS came onto the stage with little fanfare, simply picking up their instruments and starting to play. The large crowd was instantly entranced by the huge sound that the band creates, rich and atmospheric as the power exudes from the stage. There is a real darkness to the indie sound they create, yet lyrically the songs are often inspiring.

SOS specialises in big, anthemic choruses, the vocals from frontman Johnny Skinner soaring over the textured background. Lead guitarist Greg Kenney and Stuart Kennedy on the keyboards provide delicate melodies that stand out in the mix while the strong rhythm section of Richie Bell on bass and Cobo on drums drive the beat. The sound quality was superb and each individual component of the band could be clearly heard.

The highlight of a short set, dictated by an early curfew at what was an over 14s show, was the new single Carry On Suzie. The track has an old style rock n roll feel to it, yet it is also fast and catchy with a typically strong chorus. It’s a song that sticks in your mind, memorable and stirring.

Older tracks were mixed with new as the band tore through their set list. Forever, a massive song with a dark swell of sound building to a fine climax sounded great. The closing signature song, Strawberry Ocean Sea, with its dynamic beat and fast pace brought things to a tremendous finish.

Unfortunately there was no time for an encore, but the crowd showed their appreciation for an excellent short set. SOS demonstrated once again why there are so highly rated as a live act, and the addition of new songs to a growing repertoire surely points to a bright future for one of Glasgow’s best bands.