As Bearded enters the blackened ABC2 venue, a wave of nostalgia hits - this over 14s gig is full of teen rockers, the bar is deserted and the stage is mobbed. Final support act Marillo are about to play, and despite being incredibly young, singer Cat’s confidence shines through as they dive into a competent set of well-chosen covers and a couple of hip-rock-indie-pop-soul originals. They’re in their infancy, evidently, but once they find their feet and write more of their own music this should be a band to watch a couple of years down the line.

                     

Once the headline act hit the stage, however, the Bandslam-esque atmosphere darkens somewhat. Monochrome film flickers across the backdrop and the teenyboppers in the front row are faced with Nazi imagery, Iraq war protest footage and a montage of other haunting visuals. The band are dressed in unusual garb, ranging from masks to Adam Ant face stripes, and it’s clear they want to get a point across. ‘This has been the worst fucking year of our lives,’ frontman Mark Campbell states as they launch into hardcore riffs, angry thrashing and musical temper tantrums. They aren’t afraid to bring up the fact that their world isn’t exactly glorious these days, and their exciting, panicky resonance is enough to remind the jaded cynic that passion and frustration can still exist in harmony with talent and creativity. ‘We just don’t want to pretend everything is great. Life is generally shit for us at the moment and we aren’t going to put on a happy front,’ Campbell explains to Bearded.

 

As a live band What the Dead Know are accomplished and Campbell’s vocals, although tense, are strong. Neil Jarvie’s guitar kicks and wails in an echo of the lyrical sentiments, and after the gig Campbell describes it as ‘one of the most special and electrifying experiences of our lives’. Their refreshing honesty doesn’t leave much room for optimism but the kids love it, and their performance is a reminder for any age group of the reason one gets into music in the first place. What The Dead Know, along with Marillo, are connected to Paisley’s fantastic youth project the Loud n Proud Rock Orchestra ( www.loudnproud.org ) and currently work with Ugly Child Records ( www.ucrecords.co.uk ).

 

Kat Stephen