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RESIN / CELLAR DOOR
8th March 2004
By Terry Bullen
The second week of Battle of the Bands came around in no time and yet again Atlantis Arena was full with music fans, anticipating another night of music from new/young talent.
Cellar Door:
The 3 piece grunge outfit, Cellar Door, were the first band to take to the stage. The band had a good look about them and seemed to be full of confidence throughout their set. They certainly didn't look out of place, on a stage which looked like home to them. They kicked off their set with a track called “She is Looking”, which brought the crowd alive immediately and earned the band a good opening response from the music hungry public. The middle part of the bands set contained a grunge riddled song “Die”, which the band delivered with ease and with a real stage presence about them. At this point the bass vocalist was really getting into it and even a slight technical hitch on guitar, while playing “Second Voice”, didn't throw the vocalist or the impressive guitarist. The band did attempt to slow it down a bit, with a cover of “Black Winds”, which unfortunately didn't seem to suit the vocalist, who struggled to deliver as in previous songs. The sound of the band could have been a bit louder, but this was an issue with the Atlantis Arena sound equipment and not the band.
Overall though, the band looked good and had a great stage presence, as well as good depth in sound for a 3 piece. Along with that, the crowd seemed to love them and PJ could hardly be heard over the applause at the end. This band shouldn't have any problems in making the next stage and could go further.
Resin:
The second band to grace the stage were Resin, who looked certain about themselves but were not helped at all by an inexcusable sound set-up by the Sound Tech. As a result of this, it was very difficult to review the band on this performance. In places the band sounded very good, if you ignored the poor sound levels, like the drums being too high in the mix. But with the sound issues aside the band done the best they could under the conditions and produced a fine cover of the Thin Lizzy classic “Whisky in the Jar”, which the vocalist seemed to relish. They also delivered a good cover of the Metallica song “Welcome Home Sanitarium”. Both guitarists were good in places but it was hard to say, as the sound didn't help them in some songs. The band ended their set with two rock classics in “Sweet Child of Mine” and “Enter Sandman”, which didn't seem to hold the quality and togetherness of earlier songs. The vocalist also sounded a bit flat when attempted to belt these tracks out and the band were out of tune in places.
Resin looked confident and certainly gave it their best shot, but I would like to see them perform again under a better sound set-up, so that I could give a more accurate review of them. Overall I was left feeling sorry for the band, as a result of the sound issues, but felt that the band had what it takes to improve and also deliver under better conditions. The band did have timing issues in places and the vocalist needs to look at what songs suit him and which ones don't. I hope the poor sound, which was out of their control, doesn't go against this band and we get another chance to hear them properly. The judges should put them through or at least let them play again, as they deserve it for giving 110% in difficult circumstances.
After witnessing the first two weeks, I urge the organisers to have a serious think about the sound levels and the sound set-up, so that the music loving public and the bands get the sound they deserve. I'm guessing that it's not an issue of the Sound Technician not being up to the job but more like a sound system that is ok for clubbing but inadequate for the live music.
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Other reviews:
Steven Mccreery wrote:
Okay, first off, it is very hard to review/judge any band when the sound in the venue is appauling. At the moment, the bands are sounding very bad due to the awful sound. Even basic things such as the balance are all wrong. This needs to be rectified very quickly or this isn't going to be a very enjoyable experience for anyone – bands or the public.
First up was Cellar Door, these guys are a real ‘dirty' sounding grunge band – gravely Kurt Cobain –esque vocals, and classic grunge chord constructions. The originals songs have a lot of promise. Although the band were pretty motionless throughout I think this suits their style anyway, so they can get away with it. But, the set always seemed to be at the same pace, it was sometimes undistiquishable from a song they played earlier. As I said the sound was bad, but I think this 3 piece band would sound good with the right setup. Better than average.
Resin are a young band, playing covers by Metallica, Guns and Roses and the like. Some covers attempted were quite successful – Enter the Sandman being one of particular note, while others were not so good – Bush's Swallow, and Sweet Child of Mine (with the vocals so out of tune and key, it's a surprise anyone stayed during this rendition). But, again, if the sound would have been up to scratch, they would have been okay. Good lead guitarist too. Again, better than average.
I would say that both bands would have an outside chance of making the next round, with Cellar Door being slightly better of the two.
Janistalis wrote:
3 piece grunge band Cellar Door kicked off the night with ease, very laid back and unconcerned with their environment. Their first song (She Is Looking) proved that they had every reason to look confident. I'm sure they'll hate me for saying it was ‘catchy' but it was and toes were tapping all around me!
The singers' voice had a husky quality about it that exactly suited the style of music he belonged to – he was a strong vocalist who did occasionally lose control of his voice a little, but more experience and practice will make him a really good quality vocalist.
The sound quality was poor – I had seen this band before and their sound was great then, so I feel they fell victim to Atlantis Arenas set up, but I have tried to overlook this. They continued their set with a variety of numbers – I felt that they lost the crowds attention a little halfway through, but pulled it back just before “Second Voice”.
“Second Voice” itself was interrupted by problems with the guitarists lead, which is never an easy situation to find yourself in. I was impressed by the bands calmness whilst dealing with the problem and the drummers' impromptu solo to prevent a deadly silence from filling the room! Once back on track, this number was definitely worth waiting for – one of the better ones, along with the cover of “Black Winds” which was performed with ease.
Cellar Door played nearly all originals and I was impressed that they dared to get away with something quite unique. Hopefully they succeeded and will go through to the next round.
Resin came on looking also looking confident (had they heard themselves during the sound check, I doubt they would have!)
OK, we all know that there were major problems with the balance last night and undoubtedly this band suffered greatly with far too much top, the whisper of a guitar and, well, was the bass actually turned on? Enough said.
I didn't have the benefit of hearing Resin on a previous occasion so in order to do this review I tried, with difficulty, to pretend the sound was just fine. I liked their impressive build up at the beginning and eagerly anticipated what was to come – ‘Whisky in the Jar' and ‘Welcome Home' (Sanitarium) lived up to expectations, and they obviously all enjoyed playing this type of music. I did not immediately warm to any originals, but maybe after a second listen?
Everything was going well until ‘Sweet Child of Mine'. This song, I felt was a showpiece for the lead guitarist. But the vocalist had to sing in far too low a key – his voice didn't match the music and I was beginning to wonder if he had heard the tune to this song before. This song is notoriously tricky to sing due to the higher notes in it, but at the end of the day, however good the guitar solos were in it, this number has to go. It just doesn't work with this vocalist (no offence to him as he's a great singer – just not this song)
The band played a rousing ‘Enter Sandman' to finish. OK, it's overplayed, but it's still a brilliant track and finally got people on their feet.
All in all, I'd like to see Resin given another chance – maybe next time the sound will be superb and everyone will be able to appreciate them for what they can do.
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