High Voltage

Mynas kick off this mid-week showcase, which is again poorly attended and slightly lacking in atmosphere. In fact, lead singer and guitarist Del had to remind a disinterested audience to ‘clap’ after nearly every song. The lack of interest is probably nothing to do with the quality of music, more to do with much of the audience been there through obligation. Regardless, Mynas play a reasonable set of Beautiful South-esque guitar pop. Del is clearly at the helm of this outfit, as the other members exist as an uncharismatic backing band, facilitating Del’s guitar adeptness. For this reason, devolving the band into a Del & The Mynas type ensemble might work better.

It is to the detriment of many duos that they feel an overwhelming urge to be as loud as possible to make up for the lack of band members. This often results in a severe lack of actual melody. I Am Mechanical seem to have created the perfect musical cocktail; the perfect marriage of tone, tune and testosterone. The Death From Above 1979 influences are evident but, there’s a little more diversity than their American counterpart, more pace chances, more earnestness and even a guitar. Incredible. These two will more than likely get a following because of the quirky notion of being a duo, but the content of their material is certainly notable and this to should hopefully gain them some notoriety. I Am Mechanical play the Eurocultured Festival on May 31.

Having employed the services of several percussionists over the past few months (including the bassist’s father), Trojan Horse have obviously struggled to develop much new material. However, when your set is as infinitely interesting, tight and progressive as theirs, you can afford to dwell on the same set for a few gigs. Within this set, there is colossal amounts of musical proficiency, complexity and a number of intelligently used genres. Just when you think you’ve got a handle on one of their seven minute monsters, it changes direction or pace and more often than not, there’s a colossal crescendo that brings the venue to shuddering halt. Trojan Horse have recently settled on a permanent fixture behind the kit, Guy, which might lead the way for some new material to emerge and some relative clam in the turbulent world of Trojan Horse.

TAGS: Mynas, I Am Mechanical, Trojan Horse, Eurocultured

Words by: Simon S Wright

Mynas - Myspace

I Am Mechanical - Myspace

Trojan Horse - Myspace