RUNNING
for the next 11 weeks, the Summit Bandslam got off to a flyer with the first
heat taking place on October 1 at the Summit Inn, Howth.
The
competition looks set to attract an outstanding and high calibre of unsigned
talent from the Irish music scene.
The
winner on the night was talented teenager Aaron Finn.
The
18-years-old, who has already supported ROYSEVEN, took to the stage with his
guitar to get the competition underway.
His
first song,
‘Mexican Sun’, has a very good kick to it. The pace on the song too
is packed nicely and his voice is also worth a mention.
The
second song was also the first song that he ever wrote.
‘It Ain’t That Easy’
also has a good fast tempo that is evenly distributed.
A
great deal of promise shown right here with this one, and again the pace is
steadied for the full course of the song. There is also a little harmony hiding
away beneath the undertone on the sing.
Aaron’s
third song,
‘Let’s Hope Ahead’ is a song that has more authority. This comes to
the fore when it plays but also in how the sound is carried off.
The
Frisky Mangos were the second act that took to the stage. They have only been
playing together for a month and a half.
But
that aside, the set from them on the night showed that they have gotten things
very tight in that short space of time.
The
four-piece are a very impressive band it must be said. They opened up with a
cover of
‘Fame’ by David Bowie and the overall verdict is that it works.
Another
band that have only been together a short period of time was The Eves.
Formed
in May this year, the three-piece are another band that will be on the radar
for me on the unsigned circuit based on what they showed.
They
opened up their set with a TV on the Radio cover of
‘Wolf Like Me’. The
drumming on it worked in nicely to the rest of the song and from then they
carried it off. Nothing to find fault in with the performance on this either.
Taking
things to a more stripped down approach musically was next band The Culture
Creative. A three-piece ensemble but minus a drummer, but they still managed to
deliver a set that kept the attention of the audience.
Something
very inventive about the approach and the sound that marks them out as an
innovative band on the circuit at the minute. A cover of
‘Flume’ by Bonn Iver
was first up from them.
There
is an ambience to the approach with the music and this is probably a song best
matched for that too. This was certainly a band that lived up to the
anticipation.
Another
band that has been busting their chops all year long with the gigging took to
the stage next. MRU artist of the month for August, Soldiers Can’t Dance got up
to show what they can do. These guys have literally been gigging everywhere
this year.
First
song from them was
‘You Know Better’ which opens with a bang. The sound is
really tight on this one and there is an exceptionally good rhythm to it that
you just get caught up in.
There
is an energy and freshness on this one too, and it has enough pace to turn on a
sixpence.
My
Mind Races were up next and this was another band that took things up a notch.
The
opening track,
‘Salamander’ caught the attention. There is a subtle undertone
of the Mission Impossible theme tune on the bass line, but then it breaks off
and distinguishes itself to be judged on its own merits.
The
distinct elements thrown into the mix are well balanced too, with all sections
of the band playing their part where they have to. A comparison to The Pixies
would be a fair assessment on the evidence here.
An
EP produced in Phonic Studios over four days by music legend Conor O’Farrell
Brady, one year of worldwide digital release on iTunes & Amazon and a
professional music video produced by Krank Music Videos, in association with
Filmbase, are among the great prizes on offer for the overall winner.