Having produced the critically acclaimed ‘Peripheral Vision’ last year, Virginia Beach’s Turnover have returned to the UK for a run of intimate shows ahead of dates alongside Citizen. Tonight’s stop in Nottingham is one of those “low key” shows.
Local openers (and one of AH’s bands to watch in 2016) Little Bribes kick off things a little later than expected due to their fellow supports arriving late to the Bodega. Nevertheless once the quartet get started they provide a warm, melodic display of alt-rock. It’s clear LB are more than capable then doing the whole quiet-loud thing well. Their mix of driving guitar harmonies, upbeat drum work and George Gadd’s impassioned vocals leave a strong impression. Add to that an element of satisfactory rawness, and you’re left with a band with a bright future. Which is probably why we’ve tipped them as ones to watch over the next 12 months. Look out for a debut EP soon. (4/5)
Lowestoft’s Teen Brains are next and bring a grunge-heavy set drenched in reverb guitars and various effects. Admittedly, the quartet don’t have the most unique sound and could do better in the limited vocal department. Nonetheless, it is a wall of spiralling guitars and steady drums that dominate for the most part. Throughout incoherent droning vocals attempt to bring some form melodic touch, but simply aren’t convincing enough. The positives come in the form of more uplifting moments where the four piece let loose and “rock out”. Overall, their repetitive style hinders their set. (2.5/5)
Next up is Claws from Norwich. Jumping straight in with upbeat, jangly guitars, the quartet showcase a set of grunge-pop number that have subtle hooks that have potential to win some over. With Josie Steward fronting the band, her confident tone comes off well. Whilst stylistically Claws fall into the trap of sounding, at times, like a NME flavour of the week band; melancholic hooks and grunge-tinged guitars wrapped up in a subtle sense of 90s nostalgia. (2/5)
By the time Turnover start their 50 minute outing, room to move in The Bodega is near impossible. Thankfully album highlights ‘New Scream’ and ‘Dizzy on the Comedown’ provide a satisfactory start. The Virginia Beach quartet quickly prove to be compelling albeit a slight sound issue; Eric Soucy’s plucky harmonies are drowned out by Casey Getz’s drums.
Whilst that minor nuisance eventually plays into their sound, Turnover settle into a laid back, melancholic groove that is pulled acutely. Tracks like ‘Humming’, ‘Diazepam’ and ‘Hello Euphoria’ are playfully gentle and delivered with compassion. One slight minor issue with tonight’s set is that it doesn’t quite capture the flow and pace of the record the whole is lifted from.
Nevertheless, as they close with ‘Cutting My Fingers Off’, Turnover show they’re capable of transitioning the aqueous, weathered tone of ‘Peripheral Vision’ into a imperative live setting. As a whole, tonight’s showing is a harmonious display that supports the record in a nearly flawless light. (4.5/5)
3/5
Words by Sêan Reid (@SeanReid86)
