The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
ROCKTALK GIG GUIDE
A glorious, American-led noisefest is in prospect at Conroy’s Basement tonight.
The latest gig at the Meadowside venue organised by Courier Country’s own MakeThat-a-take (MTAT) label is being headed up by Californian pop-punk riot squad The Bombpops.
Formed in 2007 by cofrontwomen Jen Razavi and Poli van Dam, the natives of Oceanside in San Diego County have undergone numerous line-up changes, which led in no small way to the band’s debut album, Fear Of Missing Out, taking a decade to see its eventual release last year.
Augmented by bassist Neil Wayne and drummer Josh Lewis, the four-piece’s sound is heavily influenced by 90s Epitaph Records and Fat Wreck Chords luminaries such as No Use For A Name, Pennywise, Bad Religion, and Strung Out, as well as mainstream legends Green Day and Blink 182.
Bombpops first gained attention with their debut EP Like I Care in 2010, followed by Stole The TV the following year and Can Of Worms in 2015, which coincided with their first European tour.
The latest offering from the La-based bubblegum rockers is the four-track Dear Beer EP, highlighting Razavi and van Dam’s dual guitar pyrotechnics, pitch-perfect vocal harmonies and wry lyrical storytelling.
“The Bombpops are one of the raddest, most joyous and uplifting punk rock bands ripping up the road today,” says MTAT chief Derrick ‘Deeker’ Johnston.
“We’re very excited to be welcoming them to the basement — this will be sick.”
The line-up for tonight’s show also features Dundee’s own cowpunk exponents Uniforms and power-pop trio Delinquents, as well as Edinburgh/glasgow-based misery punks Goodbye Blue Monday.
MTAT signings Uniforms are enjoying their first run of Scottish shows for some time and are promoting new single Reasons To Breathe, due for release next month.
Meanwhile, belligerent punk rockers Delinquents are expected to perform cuts from last year’s About Last Night album, with Goodbye Blue Monday out to plug their new Misery Punk Ruined My Life EP.
Tonight’s gig starts at 7.30pm, with tickets £6/£8 via the Conroy’s Basement and MTAT Facebook pages.
Church has a heavy riffing gig tomorrow featuring Solar Sons, King Witch and Volcano X.
Dundee-based prog metal trio Solar Sons includes brothers Rory Lee (bass/lead vocals) and Danny Lee (guitar/vocals), and their cousin Pete Garrow (drums/vocals).
Formed in late-2014, the lads already have two albums behind them, including their sophomore offering Retrograde Motion, which was released last November. They’ve recently been working on their third LP at their own home studio.
Edinburgh noiseniks King Witch formed in early 2015 and feature powerhouse vocalist Laura Donnelly backed by Jamie Gilchrist (guitars), Joe Turner (bass) and Lyle Brown (drums).
Drawing comparisons to Black Sabbath, Candlemass, Mastodon and High On Fire, their debut album Under The Mountain was released on Listenable Records late last year.
Making up the bill at Church are Dundee powermetallers Volcano X. Formed in 2013, the five-piece’s influences include new wave of British heavy metal legends Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, as well as The Darkness, Ozzy Osbourne, Steel Panther, Megadeth, Europe and Wolfmother. It’s £5 at the door, with the action starting at 7.30pm.
There’s a Siouxsie tribute at Beat Generator Live! tomorrow courtesy of Lizzie & The Banshees.
The four-piece are regarded as the UK’S premier tribute to the goth legends and they’ve performed all over the UK and Europe since forming in 2012. The Bathgate band’s setlist includes classics like Spellbound, Arabian Knights, Christine, Dear Prudence, Hong Kong Garden and Cities in Dust.
Tickets £8 from Grouchos and Tickets Scotland.
Alternative rock newcomers Bootlace are at Clarks On Lindsay Street on Sunday. The gig starts at 8pm, with tickets £3 from the venue, Grouchos, Assai Records and www.seetickets.com
It’s psych rockers Neil Morrison Band, post-punk outfit The Pandemic and the country-tinged Phoenix Lane at Dunfermline’s PJ Molloys tonight. Admission’s £6.
Hip-hop’s in the spotlight at Clarks On Lindsay Street on Thursday. Breaking rappers Milla, from Dumbarton, and Dundee’s own Gimik will be performing from 8pm. Tickets £7 from the usual outlets and bandcamp.com
Local lads The Plastic Mac are joined by singer-songwriter/spoken worder Amy Lou at PJ Molloys tomorrow. Doors open at 7pm, with tickets £6 from www.ticketweb.uk
Soulsters The Mess Arounds and acoustic duo The Miss Fits — Chris Marra and Cara Sylvester — play Number 57 tomorrow, with Junkyard Dogs playing on Sunday from 7pm.
The Tavern has covers combo Cherry Bombz on Sunday at 6pm.