In the mid-2000s a band called Zico Chain came to our attention. They released a thoroughly promising self titled EP, which they followed up with a full length CD in 2007 called “Food.” Then they opened for Velvet Revolver and kicked off the main stage at download, while generally being touted as ones to watch.
After which they promptly disappeared, bar an EP that is mentioned from 2009 (but I have not heard).
Well RTM is happy to report that the London based three-piece is back, back, back, and next month will unleash a rather fine second album in the shape of “Devil in Your Heart” (not out until April 16th, but there are… ahem…….ways to hear it right now if you so desire….)
It’s the impending release of said opus that brings them to The Flapper on a Tuesday night. Supported by two Indie-ish bands that we give a wide berth to, there is a decent smattering of fans to watch as vocalist/bassist Chris Glithero, guitarist Paul Frost and Drummer Ollie Middleton stroll and stage and kick off proceedings with the opening track from “Devil….” Evasion – and judging by the amount of people that know the words, there are a lot of folks in Birmingham that have a Rapidshare account.
They follow this up with perhaps the best two tracks from “Food,” “Junk” and “Pretty Pictures” and it is clear just why this band were so highly rated in the mid to late years of the last decade.
Lets cut to the chase here: We are dealing with a three-piece, with a blonde singer, who deal in “angsty” type songs with massive choruses. Obviously as trio’s go they owe more to Nirvana than they do to Rush or Motorhead, but calling them “post grunge” or whatever trendy label they will get foisted on them does them a disservice.
In there somewhere beats the heart of a damn fine hard rock band, while songs like the superb “New Romantic” take them into areas that the early material never did. These are songs of huge scope, the sort that would have been called “Arena Rock” if any band of this type had a hope of getting there these X Factor saturated days.
After playing most of “Devil….” (and why, oh why they weren’t selling it at the shows is beyond me) they return to their early days with the punky "Rohypnol" and “Where Would You Rather Be,” which bring a brisk 50 minute set to a close.
This is a band who already has a decent past, but one also, you hope, with much to look forward to in the future.
Welcome back!
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