Live review: Unicorn Kid

[Photo: Jane Barlow]

Tuesday 16 February
King Tut's, Glasgow

"I threw up twice in my mouth" pants Oli Sabin, AKA Unicorn Kid as he lumbers upstairs following an intense hour-long rave-a-thon; his neon facepaint now fading with the sweat.

Given the sheer effort he puts in tonight - jumping, headbanging and riling up this mashed-up mass of hyperactive fellow teenagers - it's surprising he even makes it to the end, narrowly managing to avoid keeling over or spontaneously combusting under the infamously molten hot King Tut's lights.

The 14+ crowd are putty in his hands from the off - it only takes the slightest glimpse of his now customary lion hat to send this caffeine-riddled crowd into school disco chaos. But the Kid really goes all out to keep up with them, barely standing still long enough to catch his breath, sip some water or, indeed, swallow his own spew.

Regardless of whether you love or hate this kind of thing it doesn't take long to realize why ridiculously intricate, 8-bit dance epics like 'Lion Hat' and 'Wee Monsters', hammered together with Sabin's unwavering enthusiasm and ability to be his own hype-man, keeps these kids on their toes.

Ultimately, tonight's brightly coloured assault offers a perfect excuse to dance, chant and batter glow-sticks in the air like a nutter - and the kids think so too.

Words: Ryan Drever

Unicorn Kid - Lion Hat

Ryan Drever: My band of 2009

Bronto Skylift, who we first featured in the run-up to their T in the Park show, give rock fans everywhere hope for the future of their genre, argues Ryan Drever...


I've been lucky enough to worm my way into an unholy number of gigs this year, and found myself awestruck and frustrated by the vast number of kick-ass Scottish acts that have previously escaped my attention. Rather than punish myself for being so far off the ball I'm playing an entirely different sport: I took it upon myself to make up for lost time.

In my valiant quest I saw so many great bands that truly blew my mind that it would be difficult to pick just one, but in terms of the most fun I had and perhaps the most ridiculously over the top show I've had the privilege to be a part of, I would have to nominate Bronto Skylift.

Tearing up stage after stage from festivals to caravans, sometimes playing Glasgow three or four times in the same week and nearly always ending up on the floor, in the crowd or on the tables, Bronto spent 2009 scaring some, charming others and deafening most with their brilliant, pounding noise.

It's perhaps not always the easiest thing to listen to on record - though the band's EP The Bearded Fish and The Jackalope gets a good step closer - but there is no denying the draw of the band's audacious live presence and home-spun artwork.

Not to be confused with a two man novelty act, this pair possess enough chops to charm (or rather, melt) the ears off anybody yet to be convinced. Well, it worked for me.

Bronto Skylift: Danny Glover Isn't Dead


Bronto Skylift: Eagle Falcon

Ryan Drever: My tip for 2010

Midnight Lion, a duo comprised of former Drive-by Argument men, Stewart Brock and Lewis Gardiner, unleashed a few home-recorded tracks just a couple of months ago and already, people (particularly industry folks) are practically soiling themselves with excitement.

Taking a darker approach to electronic pop music, these two have managed to create a spacious yet slick sound, all from the confines of Gardiner's bedroom, and with a neat bit of radio play, a growing online fanbase and rabid industry attention, this looks like it could very well be one of next year's success stories.

On the radar: The Darien Venture

The Darien Venture: Television Was Called Books


Rising from the ashes of several different bands and fuelled by a string of mutual friendships, the resulting Ayrshire quartet, The Darien Venture, are a considerably more airtight unit.

Boasting rich experimentation and spectacular harmonies, the all singing (some dancing) line-up of Dave Martin, Liam Rutherford, Kyle Shields and Jonny Beveridge are currently carving out a name for themselves in what has long been a cluttered Glasgow scene.

"Myself, Jonny (drums) and Liam (guitar) all lived together for four years while we were at university in Ayr," says bass player Kyle Shields of the band's formation. "Dave (guitar/vocals) and I played in a band together for a while called Fragile, and when the band split we decided to form The Darien Venture with Liam and our friend Marco. Marco has since left and Jonny was his replacement."

Mixing blistering drum-work with intricate guitar interplay and an acute pop sensibility, The Darien Venture create an immensely layered soundscape that offers a rewarding listen far beyond the realm of conventional and formulaic rock dross - lyrically, drawing on everything from post break-up catharsis to the fragility of youth to pirates (no, seriously).

"Dave (guitar/vocals) usually comes to us with something from his book of magic, and we tell him what we think works well!" jokes Shields.

To slap a big dirty label on it would no doubt sell the band short. Their sound borrows as much from Reuben, Nirvana and Jimmy Eat World as it does Michael Jackson, Rush and every good 1980s movie ever made.

"Its a bit of a mixed bag" says Shields. "We're all into pretty different styles of music, but there are some bands we're all really into. I would say we get the heavy grooves from bands like Isis and Tool, the harmony and melody from the Beach Boys and Weezer and the raw energy of stuff like At The Drive-In."

The Darien Venture: 1.21 Gigawatts


Their progress, though initially hindered by an unintentional spate of line-up changes, has been given a jump start this year. Several live stints across Scotland and the release of a well-received split release with neighbours, Trapped In Kansas, has gained the band increasing support from local crowds, as well as attracting positive critical attention and even some airplay in the process.

As they continue to put the finishing touches on a second EP with further plans to tour in the pipeline, The 'Venture appear to be making the most of this, now solid, ground. "Just now, we're having an awesome time playing gigs and getting to meet the people that come to the shows as well as other bands." says Shields. "As long as that continues and we get to travel some more we'll be pleased."

What exactly lies ahead remains to be seen, but as their confidence and fan-base continues to flourish, theirs - however odd - is a name to remember.

Words: Ryan Drever

See The Darien Venture live at the Glasgow Podcart Xmas Party, The 13th Note, Glasgow on 17 Dec.