Avoid The Morning

Avoid the Morning are once again plying their own brand of pop-punk onto the Aberdeen music scene with Then. Now. Always?, the follow-up single to last year’s Things Don’t Always Have to Make Sense… EP.

The single itself is fantastic: at just under 5 minutes long, at no point does it seem to long; the melodic guitars along with the thundering drums and slick bass perfectly compliment Aaron Robertson’s vocals. Beginning rather quietly, and building up to a dramatic climax, Then. Now. Always? shows fantastic growth within Avoid the Morning, with songwriting, composition and catchiness turned fully up to 11.

B-side Say What I Am, is equally as catchy, the band’s sound morphing from emo-rock to somewhere between Weezer and Bowling for Soup. More of a straight-up punk song than the title track, it features huge riffs and shout-along choruses.

With Then. Now. Always?, Avoid the Morning have proven that they are not one-trick-ponies. This lesson in pop-punk is a tribute to their continual development, and I for one can’t wait to hear what they come up with next.

Then. Now. Always? is out on the 12th of February via Magical Duvet Recordings.
Avoid the Morning are launching their single with a special gig at The Warehouse on the 12th of February, and will tour with He Slept on 57 during the summer.
For more info visit www.myspace.com/avoidthemorning
- Hercules Moments

Aberdeen-based quartet Avoid The Morning bring 2 new tracks to the forefront of Scotland’s unsigned music scene, due for release on February 12th. With these songs, the band create a beautiful juxtaposition with hard-rock comparisons and delicate, atmospherically playful backing tracks.

'Then. Now. Always?’ takes the listener through epic aura and atmospheric sincerity, as Avoid The Morning belt out this big number with energetic passion. This title track is definitely the highlight of the release, with beautiful bass lines and haunting beats accompanying those potently catchy vocals. Second song 'Say What I Am’ captures Weezer -like attributes and pushes them to the front of the track, as the lyrics are propelled forward with shouting enthusiasm.

Avoid The Morning are a strong act on the Scottish music scene, combining fashionable melodies with sturdy vocals for a very well-grounded sound. Avoid The Morning will be on tour with Inverness trio He Slept On 57 this summer; keep an eye on their website for dates and information. - Music News Scotland

Kicking off the evening’s action was Under The Influence, playing their first ever gig. Peddling their Fall Out Boy-tinged pop-punk, they played 20 minutes of their own material, and showed great promise. Finishing with an enjoyable cover of Blink 182’s Dammit, they were joined onstage by Avoid the Morning’s Aaron who shared vocal duties with bassist Jamie, displaying a camaraderie between bands which was present all night long.

Next up were Arcadence, a perhaps unusual choice considering the metal stylings of their music, however not an unwelcome break from the otherwise pop-punk line-up. Starting shakily, the band’s confidence clearly grew as the set progressed, until the impressively epic closing track. Throughout, it was guitarist Ethan’s solos that really stole the show.

Third on the bill were Inverness three-piece, He Slept On 57. Playing a brand of rock reminiscent of Biffy Clyro and Twin Atlantic, they were the first band to really get the crowd pumping. With a set full of songs old and new, it was the tracks from their debut EP, Turn Your Back On All We Know, that the crowd really got into.

He Slept on 57 were then followed by The Gap Year Riot!, a Glasgow five-piece who play piano-infused pop-punk to a very high standard. With the crowd singing along to most of their songs, it was obvious that many have been following the band for some time. With musical influences lying somewhere between Fall out Boy and Elliot Minor, the Glasgow boys put on a great show. Throwing Shapes was a clear set highlight from its opening piano melody to its hell-for-leather finale. Other high points included Stop Talking Start Listening, a veritable tour de force of pop-rock fun, and Hush Hush, a straight-up pop-punk anthem.
Avoid the Morning were, as usual, on top form. Beginning with hi-octane fan favourite Stand and Fight Together, the quartet soon whipped the crowd into a frenzy. Joined for the first time by new guitarist Napz, the band continued to storm through a 35-minute set made up of old favourites and a couple of new songs. Say What I Am was debuted to a great reaction, as was a storming cover of Katy Perry’s pop gem, Waking Up In Vegas.

Elsewhere in the set, it was the tracks from their recent EP that garnered the biggest cheers, Find My Way Back Home being a particular highlight. Newer songs, however, like Relationship, were also well received and show that the band haven’t lost that creative song-writing spark.

Speaking to bassist Jake Lawson after the gig, he believes it was the fans who made the night what it was: “The gig was amazing because of the crowd! When they cheer, sing along and mosh, it makes you work harder on stage and it turns into an all round better gig.”

Having only played their first gig at Café Drummonds in late 2008, Avoid the Morning’s journey has been a tough one, with frequent line-up changes posing a major problem (they are on their fifth guitarist!). This, their first ever headline show, proved that they have what it takes to take their music to the next level. With a Scottish mini-tour already under their belts, a new EP due in early 2010, and this, their debut headline slot, Avoid the Morning are proving themselves to be the rising stars of the Aberdeen music scene.

Avoid the Morning played:
Intro
Stand and Fight Together
Relationship
Waking Up In Vegas (Katy Perry cover)
Light of the World
Say What I Am
Find My Way back Home
Then Now Always
Stay on Track
- Hercules Moments