Shiny Toy Guns – Yeovil 7th March 07
This is the first of planned monthly Indie nights at Yeovil’s Ski Lodge, and the promoter isn’t sure how it’s going to go. Metal and hardcore, ska punk and
rock shows usually sell out. Indie isn’t something Yeovil gets as a rule, but despite it being half empty in here tonight they get it good. Whether you can actually call the bands on the
bill ‘Indie’ though is another matter. Locals Pocket Shotgun (3) head up proceedings and go down quite well, but despite their efforts the audience needs a
kick up the ass to get animated. Swansea’s electronica quartet Viva Machine (4) provide the ‘boot’ and really liven it up with their
mix of rock. It’s good stuff. Singer/keyboardist Chris is dynamic on stage, thrusting his mic stand out in classic rock pose stylee
and singing his heart out in the process. It’s catchy stuff and keeps the audience’s attention judging by the dancing going on even
at the back.
Hailing from Los Angeles, 4-piece outfit Shiny Toy Guns (5) must surely have been taking the US by storm of late with their interpretation of the word ‘Indie’.
They’re currently doing the UK rounds…lots of dates on the small venues circuit, before a string of major venue dates at the end of March supporting
Fallout Boy. Perhaps it wouldn’t truly justify this band to find comparisons to their sound, but it’s far too tempting to liken them a little to Depeche Mode,
closely followed by Bloc Party as soon as vocalist/guitarist Chad opens his mouth. STG have 2 vocalists though,
the other voice supplied by the petite Carah. Don’t let her appearance fool you – this girl not only has a potent stage presence but also a diverse vocal range and does quietly haunting just
as well as straight-up in your face attitude. Add all that to an incredible portable lightshow with infectious electronica keys and this is indeed
something worthy of a Wednesday night. And it’s so very hard not to compare this to bands like Men, Women and Children. It’s contagious disco rock. Of
course Shiny Toy Guns have created their own sound though, and all we really need to know is it’s mesmerising and catchy as hell. Their cover of Depeche Mode’s Stripped during their
encore is awe inspiring and impressive and makes you want to crack out your vinyl collection just to cement your conviction that their version
is actually as good as the original. They came to Yeovil with all guns blazing and leave with another collection of believers to add to their ever growing
Myspace Generation fanbase.
Words and Photos: Marianne Harris
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