Substatic

Listed on their MySpace profile as electro/indie/pop, don't let that mislead you into thinking there might be a lack of substance to this band - very much the opposite. The melody to Shake Me is very much underlined by a powerful bassline from Alex Holmes' synth, and while the track might at times be floating along, this only serves to emphasise the snap of the drums cutting in. Wild Horses begins with a lovely guitar break from Steve Markovits, and the violin sounds from Geoff Wright flow over the top, before the beat from the drums is joined by stacatto sounds from both guitar and violin, synth bursts, a rocking feel, and soft and gentle vocals from Colleen Quinn, which are a wonderful counterpoint to the sharpness of the music. Next up is a new one, This Is It, a favourite of their drummer, Des Rogers, and it's 'just' synth, drums and vocals for this - and what a sound they produce, a lovely slice of dance electronica, challenging rhythms, and the vocals floating above it all. The full band are back for Gone, some looping soundscapes from the synths provide a base, and mournful violin comes in over the top of that, then the vocals, melodic guitar, the drums starting the beat, and the track explodes with Colleen's powerful "Gone", and we are off with a piercing snare drum, the track is flowing, crashing in waves, moving in phases, wonderful guitar sounds taking us to a powerful climax, but there is no let up as they continue straight into Now Or Never, the synth dominating, but I swear Des Rogers is going to kill that drum kit, the way he's treating it. It's a complex composition with a quirky beat from the guitar of all places, the vocals more strident, drama in Colleen's performance, and the synth pulse takes us to the end.

Closer gives us some more bass from the synths, blending with a melancholy violin, the drums start to lead us on, accompanied by soft but forceful vocals, there is almost a Beatles feel to the melody being created before the beat takes over. The track moves upbeat, a great guitar melody, but still that melancholy undercurrent as it reaches a shimmering end. Substatic work on so many levels - there were people dancing easily to their tracks, while I was taking in the complexities they throw out there, the layers contained within the tracks, the differing emotions being presented by each instrument, and the passion of Colleen Quinn's performance. They are going to be well worth another look, and are next performing at The Last Days Of Decadence in Hackney on 12 March. - Glasswerk

Substatic at Chicago Rocks, 10.30pm (CH)


Exciting, experimental and enticing, Substatic are a breath of unusual air tonight. With Middle Eastern lilts, an electric violin, synths, and drum and bass beats, I’m instantly hooked. The final song, led by sultry soaring vocals, is reminiscent of Kylie’s ‘Confide In Me’, which is in no way a bad thing. Groovy, seductive, and clearly a group of people who put the music first and pour themselves into its making, Substatic are my band of the day. - BBC