Played @ Stereo, Glasgow on Wed 11 Feb 2015
‘Play some old stuff!’
Glasgow gig audiences are never shy of a jovial yell between songs and tonight’s patter is particularly on point. It’s been nearly 17 years since Mineral released an album, and close to 18 since they announced they were disbanding, meaning that all tonight’s set list is, of course, pretty old stuff.
The term “emo revival” has been floated a lot over the last year, with acts (and evident lovers of punctuation) such as Into It. Over It. and You Blew It! gaining traction, along with new music from genre definers Sunny Day Real Estate and reunions by the likes of American Football. But with Mike Kinsella’s crew not reaching Glasgow until May, tonight not only whets the appetite, it sets the bar.
Local youths The Sinking Feeling get proceedings underway. A last minute addition confirmed just two days before, the band reference technical troubles and suggest that their late arrival at the venue led to a quick (and no doubt panicked) set-up. You wouldn’t know. With an energy that sits somewhere between The Promise Ring and Title Fight, and with dashes of pre-popularity Lower Than Atlantis and ‘90s space rockers Hum, their musical maturity means that though the band may be young, they feel like an old friend. In a night of nostalgia, their slot on the bill fits them like a glove.
A slightly less comfortable match are Cheltenham post-hardcore act, Solemn Sun. Recently rebranded from their days as a folk-punk group, they cite their new sound as being inspired by “ambitious bands” like Brand New, with textures inherited from Deftones and Glassjaw. Tonight it’s difficult to pick-up any of that, their anthemic two-, sometimes three-, part harmonies feeling better aligned with a more melodic Fightstar, or a moodier version of The Used. They’re by no means bad at what they do – some satisfying breakdowns and Phil Randall’s finger-plucked bass add a nice touch – but it does feel a little rote. We may be talking about rediscovering past sounds, but this isn’t really one I’ve missed.
It’s not long though before Mineral take to the stage and my view becomes partially obscured by the head of celebrity fan, Simon Neil. In fact, I soon notice that all of Biffy Clyro are stood directly in front of me, the Johnston twins having arrived cosily/cunningly disguised via the use of hats. It’s nice to see them at such a small (and, sadly, not even fully booked) venue, supporting a band that no doubt provided influence for their breakthrough album, Blackened Sky. Drummer Ben cordially nods his head and sways his body appreciatively throughout.
As well he should: the headliners don’t put a foot wrong. As bassist Jeremy Gomez bounces his shoulders and guitarist Scott McCarver’s long hair flicks frenetically back and forth, frontman Chris Simpson barely moves; far from devoid of passion, however, this stationary posture only makes his heartfelt vocals seem all the more natural, the emotion behind songs like “Gloria” still ringing true after so many years. By the time fifth track “M.D.” comes around, the contrast between the band’s softer side and their more soaring moments has reached a point of beauty, all of it feeling raw and real. The introduction to “Unfinished” sounds so good that it makes me gasp an expletive under my breath and a gentle sing-a-long during “LoveLetterTypeWriter” gives me chills down the back of my neck. Or, to borrow wording from another mid-set audience shout: ‘Aw, it’s really good!’ Well, I did say the patter was on point.