Ryan's Gig Guide - March 2018

WWW. R YA N S G I G G U I D E . C OM r gg Mar 2018 - p.13 r gg 23 YEARS 1995-2018 Recommend for fans of Muse,The Pixies, Radiohead and Soundgarden. First of all you hear top musician- ship and song writing on this EP by Wolverhampton based Lakohta. Highlights are guitar heavy opener 'Three Into Four' which blasts in then eases into a cool slow groove laced with beautiful vocals, then there's the equally number-inspired song 'One by One' with more atmosphere than the writers room of US television series House Of Cards. Each track has their band sound stamped on it and whilst this isn't a collection of straight forward fun catchy chorus conscious rock songs it is however the deep melan- choly world of Lakhota filled with unpredictable dy- namics and wonderful diversity.Amazing work. www.facebook.com/lakhotamusic EP of the month (self-titled) by Lakhota All the right moves.They say the key to a successful song is to begin with a chorus, then again whoever said that prob- ably never heard 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond' by Pink Floyd. Anyway 'The Pragmatist' by Birmingham band Crim- son Star does this superbly well with the no nonsense hard hitting line "I tear the skin from the bone".What makes this band stand out is their riffs; they are executed in a similar fashion as Black Sabbath; If you've got a guitar riff then you make sure it's massive. Crimson Star do this every time, (check out 'Gimmie Some') and although there are moments when some open riffs sound a little too close to each other you honestly won't care; hey it worked for Rage Against The Machine. 'Euthanise Me' is them really showing their brains as they begin with a pound, take it down to an almost sleazy jazz like roll and then punch you in the balls with a mighty riff. www.facebook.com/crimsonstarrocks HOTTEST BAND of the month EP: Bay View by Crimson Star