Up until a week ago I’d never heard anything by Right Turn Clyde. I’d heard lots of good things about them, so much so that they’re playing the Xmas Bash, but I’d not heard an actual tune. The new EP was more than welcome when it arrived last week and I’m very impressed. Deck Cheese have an ear for some talent having picked up Fletcher, Not Katies and NoComply to name just three bands, and RTC certainly do not do their reputation any harm. Probably more rock than punk, there’s a certain Therapy?-esque charm that burrows away at your brain with its pop sensibilities and buzzsaw guitars. Someone said they were the bastard sons of Hot water Music and The Wildhearts and that’s not a bad description…
The three songs here are all well worthy of your attention, especially if, like me, the ‘Screamager’-era Therapy? records hold a special place in your heart. While the vocals here differ from those of Mr Cairns, and there’s a poppier edge, there are some similarities. At least I think there are. ‘Drinking About You’ has an intro riff to die for, catchy with a slight metal edge, tantalising and tempting all the air guitarists in the world to reach for their ‘instrument’. The gruff “do you remember?” at the beginning starts things as they mean to continue and the good work follows on with ‘Textbook Error’, as guitars chug along nicely and the chorus has a hook the size of Holland. ‘Is This Closure?’ is arguable even better, reminding me of label-mates Fletcher at times and the metal-esque lead guitar noodles sound fantastic. The gruff sounding vocals definitely sound like Andy Cairns on this song – which is no bad thing at all.
If this is what RTC are all about I look forward to hearing more. This is a solid taster that whets the apetite for their next release and with seemingly every band either slowing themselves down or throwing in some screaming, it’s refreshing to hear a band that wear their influences on their sleeves with their heads held high. Saturday can’t come soon enough…
www.rightturnclyde.co.uk
Paul