Review: Little Doses, Voodoo Rooms

It’s never too late to rock and roll. At 9.40pm on a Sunday evening, most people are winding down before an early, Monday morning start and another week at work.***

However, fans of Little Doses did a commendable job transforming Sunday evening into Saturday night for the launch of the Edinburgh-based rock band’s debut album – the tongue-twisting, Rock Riot Soul.

Filling the ornate surroundings of the Voodoo Rooms’ Ballroom with balloons, cup-cakes, sweeties, tables and chairs might not seem very rock ‘n’ roll. However, it made a refreshingly welcome change from the grotty, disinfectant-smelling sweat-houses rock bands are more accustomed to.

The first thing you notice about Little Doses, then, is their red-and-black attire. (“They should call themselves The Rossoneri,” commented one onlooker, referring to the Italian translation of the quintet’s chosen colour scheme.)

Formed in 2006 by former Snow Patrol bassist, Mark McClelland (black shirt, red tie) and girlfriend, lead singer Kirsten Ross (tight red jeans, black leather boots), the “Le Rouge et le Noir” of the Capital’s indie-rock fraternity are an aesthetically-pleasing bunch.

Playing rock music that bestows a breezy, alt-country, American pop twist, their live sound is as tight as their ties and as powerfully bright as guitarist, Chris Alderson’s danger-red shirt.

Always laughing, Ross savours the occasion, taking photos of the audience and drinking wine from a generously sized glass.

Nervousness is apparent, but the short 40-minute set is well measured, dynamic in all the right places, and complimented by the interplay between the group’s two guitarists. In short, a fine example of their talent.

A little more onstage menace, you feel, would give Little Doses a little more edge.

For instance, Ross has the sex, voice and capability of being a bona fide rock chick.

And it’s clear the band can pack a punch.

Indeed, taking the gloves off, on occasion, might allow them to become more of a knockout.

For the moment, though, it looks like all their hard work and effort is about to pay off.

We wish them well.