Live Review

Selective Service – Stereo, Glasgow

• 27th Mar 2011

Glasgow’s Stereo was the place to be as three local bands combined to provide a fine night of music.

A peeling basement room hidden below a bar in a city centre lane may not be the most obvious venue in town. But the acoustics are good, the sound is unfailingly clear and the lighting was, for once, perfect. Add in an enthusiastic crowd and you have the makings of a great event.

102 Miles, from Shotts near Glasgow, opened proceedings with a short set full of good rock music. Their two guitars, bass and drums sound is solid rather than spectacular, but they play well. The singer has a powerful voice and both guitarists added some nice lead work to the mix. The fast paced Shake and 102 Miles To Carlisle, the song that gave the band its name, were the standout tracks.

Glasgow indie band The Gazelles were next on stage, with a different approach but an equally entertaining set. The music has a Scottish folk feel at times, and is both melodic and dynamic. Their lead singer plays acoustic guitar and is backed by two female vocalists who add some very effective harmonies to the sound. Standouts were Up The Hatches and the closing football themed Five A Side, complete with a burst of commentary via an iPod.

Selective Service have an expansive rock sound that combines elements of blues and the reverb style vocals of dub. But they manage to take these retro influences and fuse them into a modern sound. Their musical influences are eclectic and the end result is well worth hearing.

Kicking off with You Best Believe, frontman Ian MacKinnon used a second mic with reverb and echo added to create a different vocal style in a track led by the distinctive sound of Michael McGeoch’s Hammond organ. Then it was straight into Cathy Bennett, featuring reggae style guitar and a fast vocal delivery, and the rocker Give Up Your Own Game, which tore along at a frantic pace.

Selective Service put together a well crafted set of older tracks and new ones. Two of the songs are so new that they don’t even have names as yet. Moth To A Flame was a highlight, its blues tinged guitar soaring over a steady beat set by the forceful drumming of Mark Harper and John Boyle’s intricate bass lines.

The ten song set concluded with Greyhound Blues, a solid rock track that had many in the audience dancing and featured a fine guitar solo, and another standout, In The Kingdom. An infectious riff started this hard rocking song, which has a big organ sound over some frenetic drumming. It was a good choice as set closer, ending on a high and leaving the audience wanting more. But unfortunately there was no time for an encore.

Selective Service bring a combination of good songwriting and musical talents that makes them an excellent live band, as evidenced by the following they are building. Their approach is professional throughout and the music is always entertaining.

It was a fine headlining set to end a night of excellent live music.