Red Light Company @ The Cluny 11/03/2009

I have to admit, I made way down to The Cluny for the Red Light Company gig with a slight sense of trepidation. After all, there are only so many times you can hear their current single ‘Arts and Crafts’ being played repeatedly on the radio before you start to develop a little bit of resentment towards a band. However, I kept reminding myself that Grammatics, a new band everyone should hear, were supporting and that some of the songs from Fine Fascination, RLC’s debut album, were actually surprisingly good, so I kept the chin up and my mind open. First support The Chevrolites were an essentially standard lad-rock band of the moment but got the crowd a little excited, and main support Grammatics more than lived up to the hype, with a display that was as alternative as it was energetic, as tantalising as it was disappointing when they eventually had to leave the stage. So the scene had been set perfectly for Red Light Company to wander on and massively disappoint, and please all those kids who are so cool they hear one song and declare them the new Razorlight or U2 with a flick of the wrist and a turned up nose. But here’s the twist, they were actually pretty damn good. They prowled round The Cluny’s infamously small stage as if they were playing to Wembley, and every song was delivered with a verve and intensity that delighted the sold out venue. Crowd favourites such as ‘Scheme Eugene’ and ‘Meccano’ shook the surrounding area, and even ‘Arts and Crafts’ was given a whole new lease of life when delivered at this level. To actually appreciate Red Light Company, they have to be seen live, where a half decent album becomes anthem after pulsating anthem. Carry on this way, and they might find themselves in those stadiums after all.

Review by Rob Sellars

The Chevrolites @ The Cluny 04/10/08

Having previously seen local lads The Chevrolites play in Edinburgh simply by chance... I was eager to check them out in their hometown. So I scampered on down to The Cluny where the boys scuttled onto the stage. Getting straight down to business with Came Here To Fight I felt my toes tapping and the alcohol flowing. Think Milburn, think Arctic Monkeys, these influences are pretty obvious; catchy riffs and edgy lyrics aplenty, particularly in Malia. A good-time band, look into these kids if you’re one for dancing. A few gigs’ time and a larger variety of songs could see The Chevrolites stand out from the rest. Quite possibly the funniest gig I’ve ever been to, you know those gigs every so often where someone takes things a bit too far, this was one of those times. If not for the music go for the girl jumping onstage and the man rolling around on the floor whilst the rest of the crowd are bowled over with laughter. If a band can inspire fans such as these well they must be worth making a fuss over.

Review by Marzena Dabrowska