Whitburn Miners Welfare was an unforeseen perfect venue for a great gig. Not unlike The Phoenix Club in Phoenix Nights, it’s all red velvet, cheap drinks, 60 year old bar staff and hilarious banter. The Big Bash was set up last year with the intention of providing the local crowd a chance to see some if Scotland’s best unsigned bands without having to make the trek to Edinburgh or Glasgow. Ironically it’s the city kids that are making the journey to Whitburn.
Its ethos is simple, five genres, five bands. Something for everyone at a bargain price of only £6. It made a perfect debut experience for Stirling/Bathgate based band Casino. Apt considering the venue could easily lend its self to the classic Northern Soul venue, Wigan Casino.
Casino looked right at home on a stage that has held host to The Kinks and The Animals, bands that I’m sure have been a source of inspiration for one of Scotland’s freshest acts. They kick off their set with ‘Fat Cats’ a tune that teases you as it builds up before taking it back only to build up again to take it back. The only thing missing is that they never seem to let it climax from the build up. You’re waiting for it all to really kick off; instead it ends far too pleasantly.
All too often I see and hear bands that centre on the lead singer and the guitarist, narcissistic rock egos bouncing off each other. These guys realise the importance of each instrument and the values they bring each track. Lead singer Liam Davies laughs that their next track ‘Dress Code’ is about a drummer whilst giving Mark Feeney on drums a wink. He’s not wrong. Feeney bounces away like he’s in heaven, possibly one of the most endearing drummers I’ve ever seen with his smiley cheeky chappy exterior and fantastic toe tapping beats.
‘Decadent Times’ has a 60’s psychedelic quality to it, quite Kinks-esque, circa ‘Dedicated Follower of Fashion’. Davies’ voice has a real warm soulful sound delivering a potential anthemic track that I’m sure in time will end many nights with folk chanting the “la la laa laaaas”.
With clear influences of Britpop alumni Paul Weller and Steve Craddock, Jamie Haffey proves his worth with a momentum building guitar riff on ‘Dandy’ that would make Carl Barat green with envy. Holding this band in place is bassist Iain Hamilton with his strong and solid bass lines that create the backbone and support to the rest of the band.
I was really impressed by Casino, especially when taking into consideration the fact that this was their debut gig, playing to a sold out crowd of 300. They’re still a wee bit rough around the edges but they have the real potential to make an impact on the ever competitive music scene. They’re all accomplished musicians with the savvy to know that a belting voice and and ripping guitar does not a band make. Every member plays to their strengths and it would be fair to say that perhaps this is why you find yourself drawn to the bass and drums, which often hide in the shadows. There is a great energy about them, band camaraderie which no amount of music lessons can teach you, coupled with an old school indie style making Casino a charming band to watch and a passionate band to listen to.
//Leigh Rafferty