Gig reviews for January 2011

Go Primitive, Re:session and Resin at the Shed, 16th January

By Trevor Locke

Go Primitive played at the Shed on 16th January; this was their audition for the Glastonbudget Festival, 2011.

We like Go Primitive! Whilst they are a Midlands band, we have given them honorary Leicester status. They play here a lot and we discovered them in a local venue and last year. They headlined the Glastonbudget new acts stage, in 2010.

They are heading into the recording studio soon to lay down a new album and a record deal looks likely. We see them as being one of our 'bands to watch in 2011.' The powerful five piece tick all the boxes for us: great songs that throb with passion and energy, a superb lead vocalist and a set of musician who know how to bring music alive on stage.

Lead singer Jay Merry put on a sparkling performance tonight, with vocal backing from two guitarists and some fervent work on the skins from drummer Daniel Teale. Their no-holds-barred approach tore up the stage with a set of high octane rock songs that were laden with passion. Why do we like them so much? Because they know what rock is all about and they deliver blistering performances that brings it alive.

A festival level band, they played to a packed Shed and, whilst a lot of the audience had come down to listen to other bands, they captured the crowd. Their big powerful songs are exhilarating. Jay Merry's vocals are ear-pleasingly listenable. The band members live the music. The whole band plays with a real sense of passion and commitment. Their songs are exciting. What more can you ask for?

© Harjinder Ohbi.

Go Primitive on Myspace.

Re:Session

Re:session is a band I saw for the first time at this show. The four piece group from Ashby de la Zouch was lead by free-standing vocalist Chris George. They opened their set with Neil Young's 'Rocking in the free world', which got them off to a popular start and warmed the audience up. Chris's performance was good on attack; apart from playing with the mic stand too much (frowned upon in some quarters but seen in big-name acts), his driven presentation of the songs and fizzing singing drew in the crowd.

Backed by some glittering string work from lead guitarist Neil Davison, the band delivered an enjoyable set of covers and original songs, including their own song 'Get Away.' They finished their set with Chris doing a really convincing version of an Eninem rap, at which he excelled.

© Harjinder Ohbi

A quality performance from a band that is new to the scene and not yet widely known. Enjoyable and entertaining rock.

Re:session website.

Resin

Hinckley five piece Resin opened their set with an acoustic session, presumably because they wanted to demonstrate the band's musical versatility. Job done! Finishing that, they picked a fresh set of instruments and broke into an electric set.

Resin's acoustic set at the shed.

Playing an extended set of covers and their own songs, the finale to the show capped a night of quality entertainment. Lead vocalist James Botha put on an impressive performance, showing talented interpretations of songs and delivering well rounded singing.

They covered Jackson's 'Billy Jean'; it was a convincingly good interpretation, not just a karaoke style performance of it. They brought the song alive, putting in feeling and drama.

Not having seen them before, I was impressed by their musical skill, their dedication and their ability to evoke mood and atmosphere, both in their own songs and in their covers. I did like their cover of a System of Down song.

Resin on Myspace.