So this is my first blog entry....I bet it will be shite.
It's basically a review of a Swansea-based band named Complete Control and the Swansea music scene in general! Complete Control were entered into the second heat of a 'battle of the bands'. The problem with these kinds of gigs is that, as the Swansea scene is so bad, people just bring their mates. Said mates only arrive/stick around to watch their friends' bands, and therefore it's not really a legitimate battle of the bands. But that said, we trotted along dutifully and watched as four young groups played their stuff. Now, at this point in time the only kind of music to be coming out of Swansea is the same old heavy metal/screamo stuff aspiring to the likes of Bullet For My Valentine and Killswitch Engage. I don't think there's anything wrong with this music but it gets tiresome when that's the only thing on offer to kids aged around 16-20 and when this is mostly based on image and a very specific sound which doesn't get played around with much.
Well, Complete Control are a refreshing break from this monotonous sound which is over-represented in Swansea and in this particular botb heat. This may mean they don't get as well-received (or win the competition) but for those of us who go to see them specifically, they offer relief from headbanging and riffs so heavy they may as well not be played. With a funkier, edgier sound they are hard to define. Complete Control sing wonderfully simple, catchy songs about being a teenager in these times without having to scream and shout. Their sound is gritty punk-pop with some indie and rock thrown in for good measure, with an edgy-sounding lead singer. They put on a good show but obviously suffer from the lack of crowds they long to play to. Playing to one's mates week after week is difficult to do while maintaining the enthusiasm one began with.
Now just 50 miles up the road we come to Cardiff. The change between these two cities in terms of the music scenes is phenomenal. Disgraceful in fact. Cardiff is rammed full of great venues playing varied and interesting music to all different kinds of audiences. A band in Swansea such as Complete Control can be gigging and recording for years and not get anywhere, whereas a band in Cardiff who've been together a few months can instantly make it big on the scene, playing venues such as Buffalo, Barfly and gaining live slots on Radio One Cymru.
Events such as this botb demonstrate that people are trying to create a music scene in Swansea but I think the same old metal bands shouldn't be asked to play; instead interesting and edgy bands with something to say other than "omgz you ripped my heart out" should be scouted for and pushed into the limelight.
Well, rant over. I guess moving from Swansea to Cardiff with an interest and involvement in the music scenes has made me realise just how determined you have to be to get out of the small town and make it big.
