Live Review

Levi’s Ones To Watch – Glasgow Barfly

• 1st Feb 2008

Two very different bands performed at Levi’s Ones To Watch at the Barfly on Tuesday night – Positive proof that these days, Glasgow has a vibrant music scene with some interesting local acts.
First up were three-piece ‘thrash’ enthusiasts Fangs with Jane Queen on vocals, Marko Kein on guitar/backing vocals and Findlay Falls on drums.
Taking inspiration from The Clash, the threesome explode into action with ‘Fangs City Rockers’, very much setting the tone for their entire set.
Their sound is loud, punky and laced with funk, making their tunes accessible enough to dance to. While Jane is on vocals it appears they have two front people although that might have had something to do with the size of the stage – that apart she is a presence and is blessed with a powerful voice.
Female singers seem to be in fashion these days but that is no bad thing in the case of Jane Queen, who is a stark contrast to band mates which don’t always make for easily listening – something which acts in Fangs’ favour.

Headlining ‘Levi’s Ones To Watch’ were Baillie and The Fault who stood out when they took the stage in striking check shirts and as they begin their set it’s hard not to draw comparisons with Idlewild.
Their music is melodic but rocky and ‘Dark Water’ and ‘The Things We Are’ in particular stand out from their impressive performance.
Despite lead singer, Mike Baillie, not always reaching high notes (thanks to effect of Tennents) their music is slow and brooding, continuing the Idlewild comparison.
An impromptu acoustic set is performed by frontman Baillie which shows they already have their eye on playing bigger arenas.
“I’m showing my tender side even though I’m a total dick” Mike confesses – it seems nobody in the audience really believes him.
It’s a pleasure to have been to a gig where the two bands come from such different spectrums of the musical landscape, even though they reside in the same city.
It seems those over at Levis are right, these two are indeed ‘ones to watch’.