El Dog
Brel (12/06/2007)
The superb weather that Glasgow has been graced with these past few days subsides, being replaced by torrential rain. I find myself seeking refuge in the conservatory at Brel in the West end.As I arrive Sean Biggerstaff (a.k.a. The Irreverand Gondola and one third of Jonny and the Robots) is entertaining a busy room. There’s a certain ethnicity and a dark edge to his brand of folk rock that makes him instantly more interesting than a typical acoustic singer songwriter. The closing number features the use of a loop/reverse pedal in addition to his own guitar and vocals and is a memorable end to a strong set. Indeed the Irreverand Gondola would be getting a more detailed write up had this reviewer not been herded to the front of the room by an over zealous bouncer (causing me to leave my notebook behind).
After a brief break, the crowd return to their seats for the main event. El Dog don`t restrict themselves in their `acoustic` surroundings, in addition to dual acoustic guitars, they are complete with percussion in the form of a cajon(that`s a `box that makes cool sounds when you hit it` according to an audience member) and the music is underpinned by a full sounding double bass. This is the band`s first gig in some time, but they have lost none of their enthusiasm and are still as technically sound as they have always been. Right from the start of their set, it is obvious that they love what they do. This enjoyment is echoed in the crowd, who lap up the music as well as some onstage banter courtesy of co-lead singers Bob Rafferty and Alan Peacock. The music is consistently both intimate in delivery and intricate in its construction and there`s a fine craftsmanship present in every song. The rhythms are tight, involving and often unexpected, the dual vocals are superb and the band shines in a situation that so often exposes the technical insufficiencies of many performers. One of the highlights of the set is the performance of the tender and hypnotic `HaHa Nae Joy`, which showcases the powerful vocal abilities of both frontmen, as well as the bands emotive qualities. An exemplary performance by a band who are arguably amongst Glasgow`s most technically proficient musical entities.
El Dog plan to release their debut album later in the year.
Stuart Torrance
