Bits Of Kidds are an elusive beast, as besides the bio that arrived with this four-track CD there’s scant information about them to be found. Seemingly named after a Stiff Little Fingers song, the band recorded at the Mighty Atom Studios in Wales, previous home to the likes of Funeral For A Friend and Hondo Maclean. And that’s about all I can tell you, history wise. Sound wise, Bits Of Kidds play a very good technical poppy punk, floating between a more polished old-skool Blink and a more raw Strung Out. The last of the four songs also contains a few Funeral For A Friend-esque screams, although that is the only time the band suffer from an identity crisis.
The tracks on offer here really do showcase a talent. BoK are far from being the finished article – the vocal harmonies sound great but they’re barely used, while the vocals at times tend to drift off and lose their impetus and sparkle. But when the band do get it right, such as the first track, guitars shred and drums thump and the melodies spill from the speakers like a band on fire. Solos are ripped in the right places, suggesting a talented and technical band that will surely go onto better things. Arguably the song goes on a little too long – it changes key at the end when it would be better off finished – but it certainly stands out.
The drums and guitars are good throughout and four songs is about the right length as there’s a lack of new ideas within the tracks as they all follow a similar formula. Developing song structures and improving the aspects of what the band has already built on is now something of a neccessity if the band want to move on in the future. The backbone of the band – the individual musicians and the ideas they have created – is certainly impressive, it’s just taking things to the next level that will determine whether or not these lads will be a success or failure.
Paul