The Real Cool
With a name like that what would you expect? Three guys from Walsall who I'd say were stuck in the worst of the early nineties fashion trends but probably weren't alive to experience it the first time around. Appearances aside, if you closed your eyes you'd hear a reasonable approximation of stuff you'd find on side two of a 1975 EP. Really enjoyable stuff that was appreciated by a full room at the Sunflower despite being on only 15 minutes after 730 doors. Good on 'em.
Candid
Some straight ahead indie rock here that stripped away the vogue keyboards and reverbs and played their bass, guitars and drums. The refreshing sound out of Cov. lasted through about three songs until it started to repeat itself - noodling guitar over rhythm guitar, a mid-song breakdown for a clapalong drum beat, a swell, end, repeat. Don't get me wrong, they did a solid job of it but some variation in songwriting would go a long way.
Spilt Milk Society
This band had an air of experience despite their youthfulness. They began with their hit She Tastes Like Summer to appease the audience and get it out of the way; that tune starting slow and building. Th entire set, including Cops and Robbers, was engaging. The five of them had a large stage presence, fronted by a singer in an odd scarf-poncho. (Lead singers, amirite?) It was a departure night for both their drummer and bass player, who seem to be heading off to uni, but the band has gigs and plans to carry on. With the confidence they carry they could lead the next wave of Brummie bands.
Riscas
After the polish of SMS, first impressions of Riscas made me wonder if they'd stack up but that doubt was quickly silenced. Their music spoke for itself and the crowd that had not thinned swelled to cheer them along. I'd already been impressed with the calibre of local talent on the night and yet these guys took the cake, deserving of their headlining spot. By the time their 1,000,000 play Spotify tune Panic Like Tom came on to close the set everyone was into it, the floor opened up and everyone charged in to dance to it, myself included.
Friday January 19th, 2018 - Sunflower Lounge
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