secret fireworks @ glasgowbury: a plastic rose
A Plastic Rose have been a band knocking about the local scene for quite some time now: members have come and gone but the name has lived on. The current unit of Gerry, Ian, David and Troy have gone from strength to strength in the past year or two, featuring in ATL's Top 20 Norn Iron bands (at number 20) and releasing an EP earlier this year. It seemed like A Plastic Rose were living their dream as they opened the Spurs Of Rock stage, with every single member of the band grinning like idiots. Bless.
The band start proceedings by throwing just over a hundred CDs into the crowd featuring pretty much every track they've ever recorded. They're well known for being down to earth and lovely guys and doing that is just testament to that reputation. "Colour Blue" is the first track we hear, a simple little alt rocker that features the cornerstone of the band: the dueling vocals of Gerry and Ian. I'm aware I'm at the Spurs of Rock stage and things always would be rather loud, but even I had to take yet another step back from the speakers as the music is blasted out.
"Sun's A Shadow" provides the first singalong of the festival, if not the first clapalong. A track that features a tender guitar riff reminiscent of "405" by Death Cab For Cutie and soft then explosive vocals, Sun's A Shadow carries a tune and gives David the chance to shine on drums, if only for a few seconds.It's angsty and vulnerable, a gem in a solid set. Gerry and Ian seem to skirt the oh so fine line between singing with emotion and shouting. They stay on the right side of affairs for the most part of this gig but occasionally stray into dodgy territory, especially during "Superspeed" but it's all good.
I sadly missed the end of the set (which was bound to finish up with "Kids Don't Behave Like This", a song destined to feature at festivals) but from what I saw, I was as impressed as ever.
Top notch.
High point: The five second slot in "Sun's A Shadow" where there's calm before the storm. We all know what's coming but still takes you by surprise in its intensity.
Low point: Missing the end of the set.
Final point: A good set and a band that really know how to work a crowd- A Plastic Rose are playing at the Carling Reading and Leeds festivals so if you're going, look out for them.
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