Having been a regular on the thriving Birmingham music scene for a while, nothing gives me greater pleasure than seeing one of my favourite unsigned bands finally put out their music for mass consumption. False Grails, the band in question, have been slowly but surely honing their material in a live setting for a couple of years before finally committing to tape the furious Privilege and Consequence EP. And what a privilege it is to finally get to hear it.
Led by scene mainstay Thomas Wagstaff (vocals, guitars) accompanied by bassist Mike Robinson and drummer Mike Saunders, False Grails are angry. Bloody angry. Aggressively reminiscent of early Helmet with all the vitriol of the early 80s American hardcore era, their attitude is mixed with cleverly melancholic music. Don’t get me wrong, it’s brutal, but emotionally so – this writer is reminded of Dinosaur Jr on more than one occasion. Wagstaff is equally at home bashing out spiky riffage as he is intricate tapping motifs. The rhythm section of Robinson and Saunders ably back him, adding their own weight and individuality to the cause. The bass is thumping (and melodic when required), the drums sharp as a razor.
Opener “Bag Full of Snakes” has appeared in various forms and tempo’s in their live set from day one, and it’s a blast to hear the definitive version raging with spite. From there it’s straight into the equally belligerent “King Maker”, all piss and vinegar and head shakingly antagonistic. Next track “Trench Art” offers up some nice guitar/bass interplay to offset the angry vocals, Thom imploring us “Don’t give up, don’t give in, don’t let the bastards win”. “Doldrum Heat” then ups the musical urgency whilst asking “You gotta ask yourself, is this good for my health?” Suggesting a darker and more personal theme. Things come into focus a little more on final track “+ -“, the slashing chords replaced by an almost hummable melody, before ending on a poignant note, hinting at further layers to be peeled.
On this evidence, and with a seemingly renewed vigour, False Grails should be making a lot of friends very soon. Follow the links below to Privilege and Consequence, and be sure to catch them on one of their dates.
Privilege and Consequence is out now
