Star rating **** Why is it that all sorts of awfulness reaches the final stages of the likes of the X-Factor, while extremely talented young bands find themselves playing in tiny Glasgow clubs to 50 patrons on freezing nights?
Three such were on the bill here. Glasgow's own Transfer Audio are a perky five-piece and wear their influences - Siouxsie, Altered Images, Cocteau Twins - on their sleeves, but are great fun.
Intervals make the sort of splendidly panoramic din that would be lapped up by fans of Mogwai and Explosions in the Sky. Given the ever-increasing number of such post-rock bands, one may be forgiven for thinking there would be little room for another. Make space, because, propelled by some powerful, tasteful drumming and xylophone tinkling, Intervals show mastery of that dynamic quiet-loud-quiet thing. Ones to watch.
Official Secrets Act look, act and sound like the real deal. Art rockers to their bootstraps, they took the stage with both an arrogant swagger and the requisite amount of eyeshadow. Front- man Tom Charge Burke is a star and his vocals give his band a real edge.
Sounding like the Killers (albeit in tune), Sparks, XTC and Television, to name but a few, they sport a variety of instruments including the French horn, not something one usually associates with sweaty rock 'n' roll. Tunes such as The Girl From the BBC, Victoria and especially the forthcoming single So Tomorrow encapsulate everything they do well. When they come back, it will be to a bigger venue than Tut's, I suspect.
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