I must start this gig review with an apology to two other bands, “How to Animate the Dead” and “El Feugo” who also appeared this night. Due to other commitments I was unable to get to Oasis until they had finished their sets, and I regret missing them as I have heard a lot about them recently. I hope to see them both soon.

I did, though, get to see Cut Glass Accent, a Blyth based band who style themselves as a ‘UK Alternative Rock Band’. I must admit to having had some trepidation about just what ‘alternative rock’ is supposed to mean nowadays (being an ‘old git’, I’ve seen the rise and fall of just about every ‘alternative’ going) but any such fears were dispelled as soon as they started playing when it became clear what they mean.

Cut Glass Accent is: Chris Bradley, Vox & Guitar/ Stuart Latham, Bass & Vox/ Darren Dickson, Drums & Vox/ James Wood, Guitar, Keys & Vox.

First of all, I always like to mention the venue itself because I know there are bands out there looking for good places to play.

“Oasis”, in Blyth town centre, has a ‘club’ atmosphere to it. The layout is such that a good crowd can fill the main bar area immediately in front of the stage. You don’t even have to lose sight of the band to get the drinks in! Beyond this there is another area, slightly removed from the main ‘auditorium’ and bar where you can congregate and still see the band.

I thought I’d be clever when I started reviewing bands so I dug out my digital voice recorder, thinking this would mean I don’t have to stand around making frantic notes. A neat little gadget in my top pocket could catch anything I cared to say. Well, of course, that was stupid! It just didn’t seem so stupid when I first thought of it. As soon as the band starts playing there is no chance of recording anything, even with the best will and the loudest voice in the world. So, having learned my lesson, I reverted to a good old ballpoint and a piece of paper for “Cut Glass Accent”. Then…you’ve guessed it…. the bloody pen ran out half way through the first song! I was bailed out by the goodwill of the nice bar staff who not only gave me a pen but said I could keep it! So I only have nice things to say about Oasis!

They took to the stage with a song called “Cherryade” and soon put the fizz into the audience. I was immediately taken by Chris’ voice. This was not quite what I had expected. I waited with anticipation for the next songs to see if my initial thoughts were right. Sure enough, “Code 288” and “Lost you” simply reinforced them.

Now, I suspect that Chris and the band probably won’t like me drawing comparisons, but when you are an ‘old git’ it is difficult not to have fond memories of some of ‘what went before’. Ten years before Chris was even a twinkle in his parents eyes there existed some true rock legends of whom I was reminded by his vocal performance. I refer to Geddy Lee (“RUSH”) and Jon Anderson (“YES”) both of whom sang in a higher register. To call it ‘falsetto’ would be wrong. It’s not. But Chris has the ability to sing quite naturally in this higher register without straining on the lower stuff, giving the band a sound of their own. Now, as if that weren’t enough, the instrumental performances from James and Stuart supported the overall reminiscence of these two bands. Though “Rush” and “Yes” could only be described as “Progressive Rock” this would not apply to Cut Glass Accent. They do not have the keyboard based sound that these two bands had; they simply have something of their ‘quality’. Instrumental riffs counter-playing with the vocals, ambient interludes and full on rock sequences. Another similar voice, if I had to define Chris, could be Brian Moloko of “Placebo” only without the American ‘twang’ of course.

I know it’s not right to try to categorise any band (unless they want to be) and what I’ve said here is not intended to be anything other than a serious compliment. Let’s face it, any band that can capture the feel of these three incredible bands without intentionally doing so, could be going places! (I was pleased to note after the gig, when I spoke with them, that they claim “Placebo” as one of their influences.)

Next up was a song called “Susan”. This track can be found on their first album release, “Fractures”. (I nicked a copy of this from them after the gig and can recommend it to anyone….more on this later) There then followed a cover which, to me, seemed perfectly placed in their set. It was an excellent version of The Buggles “Video Killed the Radio Star” (the song that helped to make MTV and a Trevor Horn production) and I was struck by the irony of it all when you consider my initial thoughts about this band. Horn went on to play keyboards with YES, when Rick Wakeman left, and to produce some of their best work. (See my recent Rick Wakeman interview on this website).

It was about this time that it dawned on me that Cut Glass Accent are doing what so many bands fear to do. They are playing their own material, with only an occasional and well placed cover version. A difficult thing to do when so many audiences demand ‘songs they know’. But the lads commanded and maintained the audiences’ attention admirably with their own material.

The set continued with “Addiction”, “She’s Ecstasy” and “13 Days”. The latter “13 Days” recently appeared on the ne-music.co.uk CD. I have to say that I had heard this track before as a result of that CD and it is, in my opinion, quite brilliant. It stands out as one of my personal highlights of the CD and it was great to hear a live rendition.

The band put up a solid performance throughout, continuing with two more songs then a further two for an encore. There was one point in particular when James captivated me with his guitar. The only way I could describe what he did was “pulsed frequency modulation”. I thought he was using a guitar synth but it turned out that he did it by manipulating the volume pot and the strings with admirable precision. It has to be said that everything else he did with his axe was equally good throughout.

Similarly Stuart on Bass! He blasted out some wonderful pounding bass lines. I was looking for the bass sequencer, only to realise that his fingers were working overtime. It would be unfair not to mention Darren too, on drums. I’ve said in other reviews that I think the drummer can get a raw deal, sometimes stuck at the back as, indeed, Darren was on this occasion due to the layout of the stage area. He was accurate and precise and provided a consistent dynamic percussion to every song.

I managed to speak with them after the show and gleaned a little more information (and a copy of their album) from them. They warned me that the album was recorded last year when they were a bit more musically naïve and somewhat less practised than they are now. Talk about doing yourself down! Whereas I can see that they have progressed a lot since that album, I was well impressed with their maturity and the overall feel of its content. The album is available in HMV Newcastle, Steel Wheels and JG Windows. They also sell it at their gigs. Get one! It has provided some good driving moments in my car since their gig and two or three tracks have really grown on me. I also acquired a copy of their latest demos, including the excellent “13 days” which I recommend you ‘wrap yer lugs’ round some time soon. If this is an example of what is to follow then this is most certainly a band to watch out for!

This band is young and refreshing, but shows a maturity in their writing and performance which, I can’t help but feel, will soon lead them on to bigger things. I look forward to hearing their next album project and will certainly go to watch them again.

If you wish to check them out further, or want to book a band for your Uni or College, take a peep at their website www.cutglassaccent.co.uk or www.myspace.com/cutglassaccent

Then add them to your favourites and 'watch that space'!!