Gladyss Patches

CD Cover Tiajuana Crack Whore
Independent

Review by Darren Kerr



44-second excerpt from "Bye" (344 Kb .au file)


Almost a year ago, I saw a band play in a little glorified concrete bunker in Surrey called the Tortoise Club. The band -- Gladyss Patches -- made a splendid heavy pop racket and had a unique presence on stage, with the singer wearing Lennon shades and an army helmet and the guitar player decked out in pajamas. The singer even took a phone call in the middle of the set: "What do you mean what am I doing? I'm on stage, maaannnn!"

The song "Bye" in particular stuck out, with its chugging rhythm and screamed one-word chorus. I was so moved by this performance that I later counted it in my year-end top ten list, and I was anxiously awaiting this disc.

To be blunt, however, I feel let down by Tiajuana (sic) Crack Whore. It just doesn't come close to that show I witnessed. Still, I have to temper my disappointment with the knowledge that Gladyss Patches are a very young band. When I was their age I wasn't creating music, I was pilfering it from the closest corporate rock ripoff. Gladyss Patches are searching for their musical identity in a time when any new original ideas are caged, tagged and cloned. They do have some good moments; it's just that they have to stay clear of clichés, both musically and lyrically.

Hey guys! Beef up those guitars and come up with some devious riffs. Don't tell me you're coming -- tap me on the shoulder and punch me in the face... musically-speaking, I mean. Don't follow any bandwagons. In fact, if you see one coming, steal their map and burn all the road signs.


Artist Contact Info: #101 - 1001 W. Broadway, Vancouver, B.C., Canada, V6H 4B1




First published in Drop-D Magazine on March 15, 1997

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