EXIT TEN. The Trews, Raven Vandelle @The Institute 7/2/12

Pointing to the massive backdrop behind him, Exit Ten singer Ryan Redman notes wryly, “It says here we are the next big thing. So watch out.”

For you see, this gig is part of the HMV Next Big Thing Tour, a series of gigs to showcase up and coming talent, which is fine, except that no one seems to have told the gig going public of Birmingham, who had no interest in braving the cold for this one, which means that Redman says this to about 30 people.

Which is a pity because the gig puts two bands – Exit Ten and The Trews – who RTM has a lot of time for and adds Walsall mob Raven Vandelle to complete the bill.

Vandelle are a hotly tipped four-piece who have been making waves recently, Classic Rock made them band of the day last year and they have secured a series of reasonably high profile opening slots (including Jettblack, who RTM saw them with last year)

When vocalist/guitarist Dave Taylor opens his mouth, though, it is hard to shake the feeling that they are 15 years too late – in fact it is hard to shake the feeling that you are listening to Chris Cornell. Even their song titles “Breathe,” “Disease” and set closer “Revolution” scream mid 90s grunge. They are fine musicians and craft some excellent songs – although personally, RTM doesn’t need to hear covers of nonsense pop like Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy.”

The lasttime Canada’s The Trews were in these parts it was for a rather ill fated show downstairs in October, when a combination of an awful sound and the band being….well…in a mood didn’t help the enjoyment levels of anyone.

This time round they are much, much better and a good deal happier. Opening with the superb “World I Know,” they showcase their new “Hope and Ruin” opus in the shape of its title track and “Misery Loves Company.” They also turn “Poor Broken Hearted Me” into a jam of epic proportions and generally underline the fact that their take on Stones-esque rock, while never going to re-invent the wheel, is a damn fine one.

Speaking of bands that have just played The Institute, it is barely three months since ExitTen were here on their album release tour. Essentially tonight they play the same set kicking off with standout tune “Life” and following it up with “Curtain Call,” the punchy one-two from their “Give Me Infinity” album.

The Reading five piece have an assured confidence that comes with touring pretty much relentlessly over the last few years and by the time they close their set with “Lion,” the improvement in the band is palpable.

 Whether any of these bands is, in fact, the Next Nig Thing, remains to be seen – and indeed if any of them breaks through to the mainstream our money is on Exit Ten – but all three in their own way is an entertaining proposition.

The problem is that no-one seems to be aware. It must be soul destroying to be The Next Big Thing and still have no one turn up.

EXIT TEN, Fei Comodo @Birmingham Institute Temple 14/11/2011

A freezing cold Monday night in a rather rough part of Birmingham doesn’t sound the most enticing gig in the world. Especially not when only around 100 punters have decided to leave their living rooms and attend.

But that is the situation that Essex metalcore merchants Fei Comodo find themselves in when they hit the stage. And how they try; you certainly can’t fault their effort and commitment. The trouble is, call it post-hardcore, call it metalcore, call it what you like, whatever it is you have heard it all before.

There is nothing wrong with them, but you can’t help felling that there are plenty of other bands out there that do this stuff just a little bit better at this stage in their fledgling career. Set closer “No Way Out” is a catchy attempt at rabble-rousing, but the jury is out as to whether they can find their own niche in a rather crowded genre.

Exit Ten have always had rather loftier ambitions than being part of a restrictive scene. In their minds their sound is designed to fill way bigger venues than this. They rock, they prog, they display an almost pop sensibility in places. The title of their new album “Give Me Infinity” tells you all you need to know about where they want to be.

It has also showcased a massive leap in delivery. This is aptly demonstrated by opening two numbers from “Life” and “Curtain Call,” both have big choruses and enough riffs to last most young bands an entire album and are almost casually tossed out with an air of confidence that only a group who truly believes in its new material can muster.

This is by far Exit Ten’s biggest headline tour. Taking in most of the small venues in the UK and lasting nearly the whole of November and singer Ryan Redman seems determined to make it count, attacking the songs with real conviction.

Debut LP “Remember The Day” isn’t ignored either and the likes of “Technically Alive” and “Resume Ignore” sit comfortably shoulder to shoulder with the new stuff.

“….Infinity’s” end track “Lion” also rounds things off here – a big ballad, which although a fine song, probably isn’t the best choice of set closer, but this is a band to keep an eye on.

Whether they get to infinity and beyond remains to be seen, but you can bet that Exit Ten are going to give it a really good go.