Keep that MOJO burning - 4Below
Following the recent outstanding MOJO festival of original music in Ardfern, The Argyllshire Advertiser takes a look at what the leading musical lights of Argyll are up to following their rockin’ display at MOJO.
Andy Bruce raises his former popular Signal Fires band to a higher gear and bigger sound with his latest creation 4Below.
MOJO creator Dan Griffiths said: ‘His band and sound were formed from MOJO’s request for artists only a few months back where all acts have to submit a demo. His track, Antidote, was Andy’s only offering at the time, but such was the appeal to us, we not only invited 4Below to play, we had an instinct they would be an ideal headliner and they didn’t disappoint.’
What an antidote their sound is to the alternative rock grunge fans among us. 4Below takes heavy influence from alternative rock Royal Blood and Biffy Clyro, with Biffy’s most obvious influence heard in the lack of ‘a neutral singing accent’ accompanying the bittersweet lyrical prose.
With a unique, crafted Godzilla of a bass sound using multiple amps to give a full band sound from one instrument, Andy’s playing gives us a kind of satisfying thump and zing at the same time, leading the way with the added of drums brought in by Dougie Glabraith. It really shows real teeth on the stage and in their sound. And to temper this beast is Claire Bruce’s backing and splendid keyboarding mastery.
The set was made up of five motoring tracks of fresh and gutsy originals which will definitely appeal to any rock fans – through the absorbing track Skin with lyrics like ‘Take your scars and lay them next to mine’ to his debut Antidote, all the tracks display their sometimes brutal honesty but have a self-discipline sewn in cleverly to persevere and leave you upbeat.
Ground shaking
It looks like they’ve got the rock star presence nailed, too.
When asked what the best moment of his career was, Andy Bruce said: ‘There have been a few memorable gigs. I always like them when they get a bit messy and enjoy being on the floor in among all the chaos. Getting up on the pool table with half the audience at a gig in Glencoe and also literally shaking the floor in a well-known pub in Tarbert are up there. I once went to see Soundgarden in Glasgow and somehow ended up on stage playing bass with their support band Corrosion of Conformity.’
Pretty impressive for a guy who ‘can admit to owning a Wham! and a Vanilla Ice album over the years’.
Dan said: ‘It’s so good to see in a less prolific world of rock a band to knock on our door saying, “You haven’t heard us yet, have you?” and for us to reply, “We have now. Where have you been?” ’
Yes, they’re here in Argyll folks. Right here, right now. You won’t be disappointed. For more details and latest news go directly to the 4Below Facebook page @4Belowargyll.
4Below plan to release a trilogy of EPs in 2019 starting with remastered versions of the songs from their set at MOJO as well as actively seeking more gigs on the festival circuit.