Xcertions of this trio are worth a listen

Published on Thursday 4 September 2008 09:44

The Xcerts *** Cabaret Voltaire TRIOS. They always sound so much more powerful than four or five-piece bands. Trios also look cooler, too. From The Police to Nirvana, from the Jimi Hendrix Experience to Green Day – the less-is-more aesthetic also appeals to baby-faced three-piece, The Xcerts.

With their guitar amps switched off, they look like earnest high school students; the type that would rather go down to the shops for their mum than raise hell up and down the country playing small, packed sweaty clubs. Clubs like Cabaret Voltaire.

Last night, the Aberdeen-Exeter trinity had the small task of supporting Twin Atlantic, one of the fiercest guitar-led bands this side of Hadrian's Wall. But as Bruce Forsyth might say: "Didn't they do well."

Unperturbed by their more experienced and decidely more intimidating stage partners, The Xcerts simply strolled on stage nonchalant as you like, plugged in their buzzsaw guitars, and let rip.

At first, people weren't too sure what to make of them. Granted, the brunt of the crowd were chiefly here to see Twin Atlantic, yet by the time the trio waltzed off stage 45 minutes later, the teenage-dominated audience were applauding them like they were cheering their pals on at a swimming gala.

So this all begs the question: what do The Xcerts sound like? Well, as frontman Murray MacLeod admitted a few months back, they've certainly been taking their tips from bearded contemporaries, Biffy Clyro. But then, what's the point borrowing from one of the best if you don't improve upon it?

For one thing, The Xcerts appear more suited to appearing on Radio 1 than their Ayrshire heroes. They're similar in that they share the same stop-go style of guitar riffing, however MacLeod's voice sounds, well, more accessible than Clyro's chief dry-lung vocalist.

Unlike his peers of a similar age, MacLeod can hold an audience quite comfortably. Devoid of any self-consciousness, MacLeod has a few witty rejoinders up his sleeve, too. When someone asked what size of shoe he wore, MacLeod responded stating he wore "a size 9 – although it's a size 12 when it's a girl asking".

Band bassist Jordan Smith, meanwhile, presents a different dynamic altogether. With his Buddy Holly-style glasses and geeky demeanour, Jordan – a dead ringer for a younger version of comedian Greg Proops – virtually head-butts every single note he plays. Hyperactive, to say the least, drummer Tom Heron, on the other hand, was in danger of serious dehydration he was sweating so much. You could say these young lads are very much into what they do.

The only real downside, though, is that every tune – though melodic and reasonably enjoyable to listen to – appears to be locked in the same key, thus by the end of the set you feel you've heard the same song three times in a row. But it's early days yet. By writing tunes in different keys, and by continuing to win as many fans as they have on this tour, chances are The Xcerts just might make the big time a little quicker than everyone else they've shared a stage with.