As the guitar of Princess Maha kicks in heralding the track Mario with all the rock of the 90’s grunge bands, you know it’s gonna be a good night. The track taken from 2014’s excellent Make Up EP is a stomping rocktastic number with quite a nod to early Foo Fighters in of sound, with Maha’s haunting voice carving its way through along with the evident kick ass rhythm section of Hannah (bass) and Diana (drums) behind. From the same EP next comes the bouncy DMA – the track is a bit American punk meets ska. It was good watching the girls, Maha and Hannah, bouncing as they played and interacting together with that powerhouse of a drummer Diana bringing up the rear, a favourite of mine from the set tonight.
The Hole-like “No Trace” up next with the haunting vocals of Maha really setting this track alight accompanied by backing vocals from Hannah really carrying this track along. The track “Alekhine’s Gun” from new EP Rock Paper Scissors continues the sound theme but with a much harder edge with Maha’s screaming vocals. This band is a force to be reckoned with – watch out world.
The fantastic riffing from Maha heralds the very bouncy “I Want You, Maniac” again from last year’s EP. This stormer of a track should be a huge hit, it has it all classic riffs, hooklines, harmonies from the girls… my favourite of the night so far. A new track now in the form of “If Looks Could Kill”. Again the girls keep the night rocking with this track which bodes well for the new album, possibly?
The more punky “I Don’t Need Therapy” up next giving a bit of a nod towards the Go-Go’s with the harmonies and killer drumming from Diana – a very pleasing track to bounce about to at the front of the stage here at Bannermans. Another couple of new ones in the form of “Don Juan”, followed by the heavier “I am Vain” with its catchy title hook. You can’t help but be impressed by the drumming of Diana as the girls leap about up front, and some nice fretwork from Maha.
We catch a “Bad Man“ next, the last single from 2015’s Rock Paper Scissors EP. The dark riffing sound from Maha on this track is fantastic. With its catchy screaming “Bad Man’s Gone Bad” hook line, this is a track that has brought the L7/Hole sound bang up to date. The last track of the night now in the form of “Hollywood Rock n Roll” a song very much in the Amorettes/Girlschool vein of rock – another riff and vocal hook laden slice of rock with Maha’s fretwork again very evident.
This was one of the most enjoyable but short sets I have seen in a while. Catch the girls on tour if you have not done so as they are playing everywhere – and get the EPs. You will not be disappointed. This is a band on the verge of moving to the next level so catch them at a club near you soon while you can.
Setlist:
- Mario
- DMA
- No Trace
- Alekhine’s Gun
- I Want you Maniac
- If Looks Could Kill
- I Don’t Need Therapy
- Don Juan
- I am Vain
- Bad Man
- Hollywood Rock n Roll
All photos by Gary Cooper.
