Power punk trio The Muncie Girls (from Exeter) have a lot going for them musically; the distinctive voice and fluid bass playing of Lande Hekt, a complete range of guitar parts from Dean McMullen and the dynamic drumming of Luke Ellis – a treat to see a drummer smash the kit with so much energy and plenty of more subtle flourishes too.
Showcasing songs from their debut album ‘From Caplan To Belsize’ (a reference to Sylvia Plath’s ‘Bell Jar’); ‘Respect’, ‘Gone With The Wind’ and ‘Learn In School’ are examples of hard-hitting lyrics with some sharp hooks. The final song ‘Gas Mark 4’ is a sad tale of desperation and a memorable end to the set.
Tellison return to Cambridge with their blend of tight semi-anthemic rock and lyrical intrigue. In an extensive and energetic set drawing mainly from their last two albums they showed their musical might; the sound quality and mix was excellent and the two guitars, drums and bass combine to make a formidable wall of sound. Lead singer Stephen Davidson keeps it all moving with some self-deprecating audience interaction before launching into another heartfelt vocal, also not forgetting second guitarist Peter Philips, lead voicing on ‘Collarbone’ and the pop-perfect ‘Boy’.
Towards the end of the set three consecutive songs sum up the band very well; the plaintive sadness of ‘Orion’ with its gentle beginning hijacked by the biggest noise guitars can make (a song inspired by walking down Mill Road in Cambridge Stephen tells us, I was thinking it was some classical odyssey?); ‘Letter To The Team…’, the acoustic tale of resignation that opens the last album ‘Hope Fading Nightly’ and finally all out rocker ‘Tact Is Dead’. A compelling triumvirate showing the many facets of a band who should definitely be reaching a wider audience..
http://www.tellison.co.uk/
http://www.munciegirls.co.uk/
cambridgemusicreviews 