Yell and Yell

I love Lyttelton!

It’s such a great place. If I wasn’t studying at Canterbury I’d totally move to Lyttelton. Last night was the kind of gig that reminds everyone involved why they do what they do… bar tenders, musicians, music fans maybe even sailors I guess?

El Santo is my new favourite venue in chch. As soon as we arrived we felt really comfortable. One of the worst parts about being in a band is playing at a new venue and turning up and just feeling really uncomfortable before you play, during the set and after the set. El Santo had none of those problems. The staff were really great, the room was really nice, monteiths on tap, easy to set up vocal p.a. and eventually a big crowd who were there because it was a cool place to hang out but stayed and watched both the bands despite knowing nothing about them. The highlight of playing in a band is a gig where you’re on the floor sorrounded by people who you know and love and behind them a whole bunch of new people you dont know who are tapping their feet and have smiles on their face. I hope you get what I mean?

We (T54) played first. We were all very sleepy from recording late into the night on Friday then getting up early and we had only been asked to do the gig at about 1pm that day. But once again being tired before a set proved to do wonders. Because we felt so comfortable and relaxed we just played a really good intimate set. The crowd were really responsive and positive and I love playing so close to all my friends. Being on a drum riser gets pretty lonely. We played a few new ones and a few old ones. All the songs we’d recorded the previous night were sounding good. It was definitely a refreshing gig and I hope we can play on the ground more. Also because it was just two three pieces we just mic’d vocals and controlled our own levels which is always nice.

Here is a video recorded by James Musgrave of our last song Localism. We recorded this one so hopefully you will hear it soon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBUPJcU13g8

Next up were the transistors. Now I have seen the transistors many times and they honestly do get better every time. I guess it’s because I get used to their songs which are deceivingly catchy. Admittedly I stood outside for their whole set. Because I was exhausted and it was a lovely evening. But because the venue is small and intimate I could hear the whole thing and I could watch Ollie through the window. The transistors are really, really good. I’ve always thought they were since the first time I saw them in 2006. But their set at the moment is so energetic and infectious. The highlight for me (of course) is their drummer Ollie. Who is easily the fastest, tightest drummer around and to top it off he does vocals in most of the songs and even lead vocals in some of them. Watch him.

James the guitarist/singer is really smooth… like super smooth. When I grow up wanna be just like him. He has real cool stage presence and a cool looking guitar (did i mention they often have stage uniforms?) Colin the bass player is just chilling. he just chills on stage with a big grin on his face and chugs along on his bass. Together they are a really fast, really cool band. But recently their songs have really been developing and have cool melodies and very cool rhythms aswell. I should really get their album so I can comment more… I will.

Anyway here is a video also filmed by Mr Musgrave (on his cellphone) of The Transistors

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SdF1E4isJY

Vibe = 10/10

So keep these points in mind

1 - Lyttelton rules

2 - El Santo rules

3 - No stage rules

4 - The Transistors rule

5 - You should watch T54 and decide whether they rule too or not…