247 Magazine – Live Review – 30th January 2012

Bristol’s Louisiana has been known to host some legendary bands before they fully break into the business and tonight seems no different. Local quartet Scarlet Rascal & The Trainwreck are this evening’s headliners with support from Crybaby. There’s certainly a buzz in the air, as the Bristolian headliners have been causing quite a stir on the new band circuit. Featuring on BBC6 Music and hailed for big things this year, it seems everyone wants to witness what all the fuss is about.

Queuing up the stairs, we’re greeted with the sounds of Crybaby – a dapper foursome, complete with a pretty girl drummer and matching monochrome outfits. Danny Coughlan’s lead vocals impress immediately, with hints of Echo & the Bunnymen’s Ian McCulloch and a crooning Richard Hawley. ‘We’re supposed to be in Love’ is an instant hit, complete with a catchy chorus and sultry bass. The band then take it down a notch for two or three songs, hushing the audience to silence and proving their worth as a band to watch out for in 2012.

Scarlet Rascal & The Trainwreck take to the stage just after ten to a room compiled of avid followers and an inquisitive few. Singer Luke Brooks furiously swings to the front, gasping into the microphone as the rest of the band start the first song. If they wanted to grab the audiences’ attention, they’ve done just that. The set is full of a continuous raucous, with Luke sparking off mannerisms worthy of Prince. Richard Clarke’s extra echoed guitar adds a hint of Joy Division whilst James Stockhausen provides steady bass lines throughout. The highlight of the set has to be ‘The Haunting’ to which Luke’s screeching hits a high as he falls to the floor for a full throttle at his guitar.

Scarlet Rascal & The Trainwreck have definitely got something good going on; it’s simply a case of nourishing their already impressive songs and building a sound exclusive to them. With a confident frontman and a refreshing take on a vintage genre, I expect nothing but a bright future for them. – Sammy Maine