Laura-C Hits the road
Three Quarters plus Support
24th August 2005
Preston Mill
24th August 2005
Preston Mill
Three Quarters, pop-punk boys from Blackpool have finally got themselves a nice juicy signing to Emap, who as well of being one of the largest promotion companies in Europe also are the owners of 'the Box','Kerrang' and 'Smash Hits',to name but a few. To celebrate and to share this joy with the fans, the lads decided to put on a special gig with invited support, at the Mill in Preston. The support where all bands chosen by Three Quarters and were 200 Minutes, Violent Conduct, Area 15 and Pretty Lies, all fairly new to the scene and eager to join the Three Quarter success train. Martin and I, just had to get all the gossip on the signing and the gig. Martin had made a four-hour journey to be there and I, along with my boyfriend and bodyguard Chris, bassist from No Plan B, made an hour long journey. (Sorry to disappoint you guys - I'm taken!) After meeting up at the train station we made the short journey to The Mill in a black cab (my first ever black cab ride, might I add) where we were ushered through the gathered 3/4s fans, who were eagerly queuing outside. I really did feel like a VIP, the mention of Green Dragon really does seem to open doors. We were greeted by Russ and Julia from RSG Promotions who went out of their way to continue the VIP treatment. A big thanks goes out to Russ who gave us our 3/4s t-shirts and 'girls rock harder' wristbands. (For more details on 3/4s merch check outwww.rsgpromotions.co. uk)
After a quick tour of the venue and various introductions (you know people were actually just as excited to meet us as we were to meet them!), Martin and I were escorted up several flights of old stone stairs (Yes, the Mill really was an old mill, well it suprised me!) to a rehearsal room several floors up to grab an interview with the boys. I let Martin take the lead for the interview leaving me free to make notes and eye up the Three Quarters’ boys from the side of the room, (especially Chris.W, he is a bit of a hottie!) During the interview the guys talked about 3/4s past and looked forward to the future, covering everything from Gay Icons to their new signing and up coming tour with band Free Faller. Three Quarters were very open and candid during the interview and seemed very at ease with Martin, taking everything in their stride, even in the presences of GD himself! They are going to have to get used to this if their road to stardom continues the way everybody hopes it will. With not much time before the first band were due to take the stage, Martin also managed to grab a quick interview with Area 15, one of the support bands from Doncaster. (You can catch both interviews on our Global Domination show on Thursday)
So the stage is set, the lights are dimmed, the PA sprang into life as music starts fills the venue. Time to open the doors. No slow drizzle of people here tonight. Three Quarters fans are known for their faithful devotion to the band and no sooner had the early evening sunlight sneaked a glimpse throgh the main door, the first of several hundred fans poured in. You could feel in anticipation growing as old friends gathered and claimed their places in front of the stage, sharing memories of previous gigs, comparing photographs as the chatter and squeals of teenage girls rang alongside the piped strains of My Chemical Romance. Tonight was starting to feel special already.
First to take the stage was a duo called '200 Minutes', it was the lads first gig and as Martin put it, 'they're the White Stripes without tits'. But that’s where the comparison ends in the fact it was one guitarist and one drummer. I personally found them a bit boring, lacking any stage presence and they seemed to be just going through the motions but this could have been because it was their first gig. I do believe they were only a two piece due to the fact their had recently lost their bassist. Everybody has to start somewhere and all credit to the audience they gave 200 Minutes their 15 minutes of fame, in a very curtious manner.
Violent Conduct were next up and all I really want say about them was that the lead vocalist and backing really should work on singing in the same key. This band defiantly had a unique time signature leading me to believe they had never met Mr. Metronome himself. In all fairness, they did have an original sound, which is a plus for any band. Perhaps with a few more months of practice they might be average, but it's a long way from tonight performance.
Next up was the much anticipated Area 15, this 3 piece band who had only been together for six months, in this current line up, they really did impressed me the most out of all the supporting acts and a little birdie tells me they already have a few labels expressing an interest in them. The stage energy they projected was amazing, they really did look like they where born to be on stage and the reaction from the crowd was awesome. Teenage girls screaming their lungs out. Amazing. To think these guys are only 15, 16 and 17, makes you sick doesn't it? They played the crowd well, whipping them up into a frenzy with their bouncing, self written pop punk. This band really did leave me speechless, almost breathless, and this is no mean accomplishment. Even though they had traveled from Doncaster, they had managed to bring a coach full of 30 fans with them. Not bad for a band starting out, perhaps the new breed is starting to take notice of what is being said about promoting yourselves the right way.
And so after Area 15s performance I was expecting another amazing support. Pretty Lies, a 4 piece all girl band, the only all girl band to perform tonight, so I have to give them credit, just for being girls playing to a boy hungry crowd.. I wanted them to "rawk out", but I was in for a disappointment. They looked every inch the rock chix, and strutted onto stage as if they were ready to deliver a full frontal female rock onslaught, but when they opened with someone else’s song, poorly played and out of time, this was not a very good start. It really did begin to feel like karaoke night at The Mill or perhaps I was reminded of one of those cheesy Japanese female pop/rock acts you occasionally see on TV, high pitch banshee screams, fuzz guitars and simple snare. They were out of tune a good deal of the time and they did tend to play their instruments in a very simplistic manner. At one point the guitarist even forgot how to play the song! But, again I'll be fair and put that down to nerves. The girls really did show the confidence needed to be in a successful band, shame they didn’t have the talent.
Finally the moment I and the now very sweaty girlies had been waiting for. You could feel the air buzzing with the almost static charge caused by several hundred teenage girls pushing their sweating bodies closer and closer to the where Three Quarters were about to hit the stage. The crowd screamed as the band opened their show. And what a show. Pure entertainment. The movement on stage is truly breath-taking, they really know what they are doing and how to please a crowd. Three Quarters went through many of the crowds old favorites, each one greeted by an even louder scream and audience accompanied chorus. New songs, including there forthcoming release, a rework of Hopeless Romantic, were equally welcomed, and I noticed the smiles of joy as each fan realised this song was about her! The place was bouncing in time with Three Quarters.
Always ones to please their fans, Three Quarters even did a song that wasn't included in their planned set list, it was simply shouted out from the loyal fans and the guys obliged. It's the fans that have made 3/4s and you can see why they love the band. Three Quarters played a blistering set, even finding time to invite a guest vocalist and friend of the band, Gina Anderson to join them on stage for two numbers. Unfortunately Gina's voice was a little lost when combined with Three Quarters, but from what I could hear it sounded very sweet.
Three Quarters continued their musical outslaught for about 45 minutes, never standing still for long. Working the crowd like true pros and loving every minute of it. This may be the closest you can come to public sex, to be in that crowd when 3/4 share their time with you. And they do share their time with you - the whole show is for you. They talk to YOU from the stage, they look straight into YOUR eyes, they make love to YOU from that stage and you love them back. You didn't notice the odd bum note, the fact the a guitar went out of tune or the slight delay between a couple of songs. This was pure entertainment. Fans appear with 'I love 3/4s signs', they wear the t-shirts, they know every line of every song, this is a hint of stardom that is coming. But it didn't end there. Three Quarters know this business, and they love their fans, many who have been with them for the past few years. No, the band didn't just leave the stage and retire to some back room to bask in their glory, they exit by stage right , straight outside to meet and greet their fans. Tired and emotional, after giving their all on stage Three Quarters took the time to keep the flame that burns in each one of those fans eyes alive. Even guitarist Chris W who was suffering from dehydration was talking to the fans, between taking much needed liquid. This is the dedication of this band.
As we left Preston Mill some 20 minutes after Three Quarters had finished their set, they were still talking outside. You see this band are going places, but they are not losing sight of who has got them this far. Long may they continue to rise.
I've said my bit but think the final words shoulds come from the fans themselves:
"This was the best show they have ever played, it was amazing"
"I loved it when they played the last goodbye"
"I really fancy Nick, but don't tell him!"
After a quick tour of the venue and various introductions (you know people were actually just as excited to meet us as we were to meet them!), Martin and I were escorted up several flights of old stone stairs (Yes, the Mill really was an old mill, well it suprised me!) to a rehearsal room several floors up to grab an interview with the boys. I let Martin take the lead for the interview leaving me free to make notes and eye up the Three Quarters’ boys from the side of the room, (especially Chris.W, he is a bit of a hottie!) During the interview the guys talked about 3/4s past and looked forward to the future, covering everything from Gay Icons to their new signing and up coming tour with band Free Faller. Three Quarters were very open and candid during the interview and seemed very at ease with Martin, taking everything in their stride, even in the presences of GD himself! They are going to have to get used to this if their road to stardom continues the way everybody hopes it will. With not much time before the first band were due to take the stage, Martin also managed to grab a quick interview with Area 15, one of the support bands from Doncaster. (You can catch both interviews on our Global Domination show on Thursday)
So the stage is set, the lights are dimmed, the PA sprang into life as music starts fills the venue. Time to open the doors. No slow drizzle of people here tonight. Three Quarters fans are known for their faithful devotion to the band and no sooner had the early evening sunlight sneaked a glimpse throgh the main door, the first of several hundred fans poured in. You could feel in anticipation growing as old friends gathered and claimed their places in front of the stage, sharing memories of previous gigs, comparing photographs as the chatter and squeals of teenage girls rang alongside the piped strains of My Chemical Romance. Tonight was starting to feel special already.
First to take the stage was a duo called '200 Minutes', it was the lads first gig and as Martin put it, 'they're the White Stripes without tits'. But that’s where the comparison ends in the fact it was one guitarist and one drummer. I personally found them a bit boring, lacking any stage presence and they seemed to be just going through the motions but this could have been because it was their first gig. I do believe they were only a two piece due to the fact their had recently lost their bassist. Everybody has to start somewhere and all credit to the audience they gave 200 Minutes their 15 minutes of fame, in a very curtious manner.
Violent Conduct were next up and all I really want say about them was that the lead vocalist and backing really should work on singing in the same key. This band defiantly had a unique time signature leading me to believe they had never met Mr. Metronome himself. In all fairness, they did have an original sound, which is a plus for any band. Perhaps with a few more months of practice they might be average, but it's a long way from tonight performance.
Next up was the much anticipated Area 15, this 3 piece band who had only been together for six months, in this current line up, they really did impressed me the most out of all the supporting acts and a little birdie tells me they already have a few labels expressing an interest in them. The stage energy they projected was amazing, they really did look like they where born to be on stage and the reaction from the crowd was awesome. Teenage girls screaming their lungs out. Amazing. To think these guys are only 15, 16 and 17, makes you sick doesn't it? They played the crowd well, whipping them up into a frenzy with their bouncing, self written pop punk. This band really did leave me speechless, almost breathless, and this is no mean accomplishment. Even though they had traveled from Doncaster, they had managed to bring a coach full of 30 fans with them. Not bad for a band starting out, perhaps the new breed is starting to take notice of what is being said about promoting yourselves the right way.
And so after Area 15s performance I was expecting another amazing support. Pretty Lies, a 4 piece all girl band, the only all girl band to perform tonight, so I have to give them credit, just for being girls playing to a boy hungry crowd.. I wanted them to "rawk out", but I was in for a disappointment. They looked every inch the rock chix, and strutted onto stage as if they were ready to deliver a full frontal female rock onslaught, but when they opened with someone else’s song, poorly played and out of time, this was not a very good start. It really did begin to feel like karaoke night at The Mill or perhaps I was reminded of one of those cheesy Japanese female pop/rock acts you occasionally see on TV, high pitch banshee screams, fuzz guitars and simple snare. They were out of tune a good deal of the time and they did tend to play their instruments in a very simplistic manner. At one point the guitarist even forgot how to play the song! But, again I'll be fair and put that down to nerves. The girls really did show the confidence needed to be in a successful band, shame they didn’t have the talent.
Finally the moment I and the now very sweaty girlies had been waiting for. You could feel the air buzzing with the almost static charge caused by several hundred teenage girls pushing their sweating bodies closer and closer to the where Three Quarters were about to hit the stage. The crowd screamed as the band opened their show. And what a show. Pure entertainment. The movement on stage is truly breath-taking, they really know what they are doing and how to please a crowd. Three Quarters went through many of the crowds old favorites, each one greeted by an even louder scream and audience accompanied chorus. New songs, including there forthcoming release, a rework of Hopeless Romantic, were equally welcomed, and I noticed the smiles of joy as each fan realised this song was about her! The place was bouncing in time with Three Quarters.
Always ones to please their fans, Three Quarters even did a song that wasn't included in their planned set list, it was simply shouted out from the loyal fans and the guys obliged. It's the fans that have made 3/4s and you can see why they love the band. Three Quarters played a blistering set, even finding time to invite a guest vocalist and friend of the band, Gina Anderson to join them on stage for two numbers. Unfortunately Gina's voice was a little lost when combined with Three Quarters, but from what I could hear it sounded very sweet.
Three Quarters continued their musical outslaught for about 45 minutes, never standing still for long. Working the crowd like true pros and loving every minute of it. This may be the closest you can come to public sex, to be in that crowd when 3/4 share their time with you. And they do share their time with you - the whole show is for you. They talk to YOU from the stage, they look straight into YOUR eyes, they make love to YOU from that stage and you love them back. You didn't notice the odd bum note, the fact the a guitar went out of tune or the slight delay between a couple of songs. This was pure entertainment. Fans appear with 'I love 3/4s signs', they wear the t-shirts, they know every line of every song, this is a hint of stardom that is coming. But it didn't end there. Three Quarters know this business, and they love their fans, many who have been with them for the past few years. No, the band didn't just leave the stage and retire to some back room to bask in their glory, they exit by stage right , straight outside to meet and greet their fans. Tired and emotional, after giving their all on stage Three Quarters took the time to keep the flame that burns in each one of those fans eyes alive. Even guitarist Chris W who was suffering from dehydration was talking to the fans, between taking much needed liquid. This is the dedication of this band.
As we left Preston Mill some 20 minutes after Three Quarters had finished their set, they were still talking outside. You see this band are going places, but they are not losing sight of who has got them this far. Long may they continue to rise.
I've said my bit but think the final words shoulds come from the fans themselves:
"This was the best show they have ever played, it was amazing"
"I loved it when they played the last goodbye"
"I really fancy Nick, but don't tell him!"
posted by Martin GD at 7:37 AM
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