This highly anticipated gig couldn’t come around soon enough. After reviewing the new Molly Karloff album ‘Breaking Out’, this album launch show was my first chance to hear some of it live. The Giffard was slow to fill up, but the peeps just kept coming in, until the room was rammed. Three bands on stage tonight and quite a contrast of styles.
SLYDER SMITH & THE OBLIVION KIDS The trio combine their ‘Charm Offensive’ album with a couple of covers for tonights set. Slyder Smith and The Oblivion Kids, feature Tim Emery on bass and drummer Carl Donaghue, whose rhythm pairing begins with ‘Calico Queen’ an upbeat tale that is also full of Slyders delectable vocals. ‘Road Love’ steps more sleazily in its footsteps while ‘Maya’ is a spoonful of sugary pop rock, that attracts like moths to a flame. ‘I’m Done’ raises the tempo, a dusting of funk and squealing chords, before the easy tones of ‘Crash Landing In Teenage Heaven’ are aired. The audience appreciate the high level of Slyder and Co’s musical ability, plenty of hands together after every song and they do sing along when encouraged by Mr Smith. ’Neverending Story’ is a pop classic, this cover of Limahl’s ( Kajagoogoo) hit was a duet on the album, with Nina Courson ( Healthy Junkies). Slyders version sticks to the bones of the original, but adds rockier layers, it’s quite a listen and incredibly well executed tonight. ’The Way We Collide’ is an older track from the ‘Last Great Dreamers’, Slyder and Tim’s other band, while ‘Pleasure Victim’ is a nod to the past, it’s backalley mystic, stuffed with 80s/90’s UK Sleaze. ‘When The Rain Comes’ is a recent single and the uplifting chorus is superb, it’s simple to sing along and most of us do just that. Fancy hearing ‘Limahl’ and ‘Hanoi Rocks’ in one session, that’s the diversity this band offer, as the chords of ‘Malibu Beach Nightmare’ drift around the room. A kind of eponymous track ‘Oblivion Kids’ ends the set, with more ragamuffin charm. It’s always cool to catch up with Slyder, I remember watching the Silver Hearts and Last Great Dreamers back in the day, when my mate Paul ‘Angel’ Harrison from Rich Rags was with them. Needless to say we had a great chin wag at the bar afterwards.
QUESTIONS OF ANGELS Are a new band for me, well they have been on a hiatus for five years. Rock heavyweights ‘Questions Of Angels’ are from the Walsall/Cannock area and the five piece have just announced their return, yes life, health and everything else got in the way. After Slyder & The Oblivion Kids, this is a leap onto hot coals, such a turnaround of style. ‘Take A Breath’ stutters into being, chugging riffs from the twin axes and hazy vocals from vocalist Anthony Hoult, who has a stage presence like no other. A new single ‘Policy Of Flies’ has an eerie intro, high and intense, then the chords soften before Anthony delivers some ‘Iggy Pop’ chokers. The song switches, twitches and resides in a murky void, love it. The best way to describe another recent single ‘Hope Is Gone’, is a haze of loudness with a palette of experiences. Actually this is why ‘QOA’ are receiving so much gratification from the punters and us media types hanging at the bar. It’s been a while since I’ve discovered a band playing ‘Classic Heavy Rock’ on this level, ’Sergeant Thunderhoof’ were probably the last. ‘The Scarecrow’ has an intro that tiptoes with delicate notes. But it’s soon turned into a song that summons up a ‘Sabbath’ like riff of devilish brilliance. There have been a couple from the ‘From Within’ album however ‘Pity’ takes us to the mellow side of the ‘Angels’. Mr Hoult certainly has a voice and he carries it perfectly on this power ballad. There’s a blast of a guitar solo as well, just to wrap it up. ‘Feel So Alive’ is also new, pounding and warlike, it’s like a hurricane brewing, ready to destroy all in its path. I have the lyrics to ‘Long Way Down’, Anthony handed me them from the pile of A4’s on the stage, he admitted he knows the words to all the songs, but the typed papers are his comfort blanket, how sweet is this guy. This final track has a revolving hook of substance and while the high vocal line gives it a ‘Zeppelin’ feel, there’s a strong bluesy and grunge effect. A remarkable performance and a band with something different to offer. I hope this return is permanent and they book some more gigs, as I have to see them again.
MOLLY KARLOFF To celebrate the release of their debut album, the Oxford based Molly Karloff have chosen the Giffard for the launch party and it’s heaving by the time they grace the stage. A couple off the ‘Dancing For Money’ EP, beginning with the title song and ‘Out Of My Way’ warm us up and remind me how hard driven this band are. Simon Gee, allows the atmosphere to thicken, with weaving guitar and those crunching vocals, that can deviate and turn so rapidly. Tonight ‘Black Flame’ is the grinding introduction to the new album ‘Breaking Out’, it’s slow, menacing and lurks in the darkness, reaching out to you with its cries. Stand in bassist and local lad, Steve Gibbons ( Al Atkins Holy Rage, Abigails Mercy ) is perfect, I’m amazed how well the three-piece are playing, it’s so tight, Steve later admitted he had man flu and even that didn’t deter him ! A run of four from the ‘Supernaturalation’ EP, with ‘She Said’ up first. Alternative Rock or Post Grunge, it’s hard to pinpoint Molly Karloff’’ and ‘Do You Wanna’ hints at Punk/New wave influences. ‘Do It Again’ consumes some foggy distortion, dropping the chords alongside hollow vocals. ‘The Other Side’ crawls into your head and lingers, it’s a stunning piece. Time for more tracks off the debut and ‘Higher Than The Sun’ sees Simon screaming above a constant riff, while Jowie Adkins is one of the best drummers to watch for added entertainment. ‘Cult Of Personality’ has a shifting tempo that makes it one of my favourites. Shuddering, hipster funk and that solo midway is something else. The title track ‘Breaking Out’ is low and demanding, epitomising the ‘Molly’s’ style. ‘You Don’t Know My Name’ is a brilliant song, the rousing chorus alone is justification, to say this is a remarkable debut album. There is enough time left for ‘Supernaturalation’ and the ‘Alice In Chains’ cover ‘Man In The Box’, before the curtain descends.
A reminder the new album will not be available on Spotify Etc for a while. Songs will be added to stream every 6 weeks or so, until then you will have to purchase the 12 inch vinyl or download the digital CD to hear ‘Breaking Out’ in full.
To quote Molly Karloff – ‘As a band, we invest thousands just into recording and producing an album, and we’re not about to line the pockets of companies like Spotify who pay roughly $2.50 for every 1,000 streams but make massive profits at the expense of the bands whose content they rely on.’
Visit the Molly Karloff – FANLINK to order the album online.
Catch them at Winter Rocks in Sheffield , see poster below .
LINK TO MY ALBUM REVIEW HERE
A fabulous evening with three bands and some awesome music. The Giffard is one of the top small venues in the West Midlands, the atmosphere is always incredible and the characters you meet are so friendly.
PHOTO CREDIT – RUSKIN ROADER
Thanks to – Brett Hall, Everyone at The Giffard Arms and Gordon Kimber of Morningstar Management
The Caz Parker interview with Molly Karloff and that ‘Sex Chair’ can be watched here –
