Live Review

Bleech – Maggie Mays, Glasgow

• 29th Sep 2012

Londoners Bleech made the trip north to play a fine set full of typically high energy rock songs last night. And they were ably supported by three local Glasgow bands, all of whom played their part in a very enjoyable gig.

From Paris To Prison opened the night. Starting with a fairly basic rock sound, with heavy chords and lots of reverb on the mic, they later added a sax. This gave a tremendous depth to the music and their Dutch saxophonist did a fine job. One softer track also included both a nice female vocal and a haunting violin to good effect. Overall it was a decent set.

Tijuana Bibles were next, their two guitar rock lively and energetic, although the vocals did get a bit lost in the mix initially. With solid drumming and some nice lead guitar work on show they produced an entertaining set. A couple of slower numbers were more blues influenced and allowed the vocals space to shine. This subtler approach was perhaps more effective than their full out rock.

Blindfolds were the best of the support acts. For a young band that has been together less than a year they have a tight sound and a fine stage presence. They looked the part too, all black leather and slicked back hair. The music is clearly blues influenced, rocks hard and has a dynamic swagger to it that excites. New track Girl Gang was superb as was the dark Razorblade Johnny. Combining a solid rhythm section with great lead guitar and a young vocalist with a big deep gravelly voice that is perfect for their sound, these boys are going places and fast.

Bleech have a reputation as a fine live act and they certainly lived up to it with a blistering set that was full of power and quality. Jen O’Neill coaxed a multitude of feedback heavy riffs from her wide bodied Gibson and provided the sparky lead vocals in typically energetic fashion. Her sister Katherine patrolled the left of the stage, fingers flying up and down the fretboard of her bass, while Matt Bick behind the drums was a blur as he pounded the kit into submission. For a three piece band Bleech create a tremendous sound and have a commanding presence on a stage.

The set exploded into life immediately with two tracks from the fine debut album, Nude, Dancing Without You and Weirdo, the false ending on the latter catching a few out before restarting for one final burst of rock. Current single Break My Nose kept the pace high before the older Worthing Song, yet another powerful track with a fine bass line, which was very well received. And with barely a pause for breath the music kept coming. Holiday was next, its big anthemic chorus a prelude to a fine guitar solo from Jen.

Although much of the set was taken from the album, with by my count eight of its ten tracks played, there were several other songs mixed in too. Is It True That Boys Don’t Cry, an early single, was particularly well done, the drums driving the music forward, and Control from the most recent EP was also a highlight.

Jen switched to a white Strat for the excellent Adrenalin Junkie, its slower mid section a brief breather before the big ending. Then it was back to the Gibson for a new song, Not Like You, a solid rocker with a big chorus. With their debut album just a few months old it is great to see new material already making its way into the set.

The night ended with a three song sonic attack, started by the wonderfully passionate and defiant I Wanna Be Me. A nice new song, 70s Child, kept the energy levels high before the closing Mondays. Jen’s anthemic vocals were backed by nimble bass work and great harmonies from Katherine while Matt’s thunderous drums provided massive power until the very end.

This was an excellent performance from Bleech. They have some fine songs, old and new, and delivered them with all of the confidence and stagecraft that they have gained from their relentless touring schedule. Bleech play fast and loud and have the ability to thrill with their big songs. If you get the chance to see them live, take it.