I Hate Sally
http://www.myspace.com/ihatesally
Camden Palace, London, UK
Saturday 14 April 2007
To quote the lead singer of Hayseed Dixie, “A person who only listens to one kind of music ain’t any guy I wanna drink any beer with.� And I’m all in agreement with that, I really am. My CD collection is testament to that and no one could accuse me of being narrow-minded. However, when Clint asked me to review I Hate Sally, one of his “favourite new bands,� I knew I had a problem. You see, Clint and I have very different tastes in music. I like the guy and I respect him highly, but I just don’t dig all of his tunes. Going to see a band on his recommendation would always be something of an experience.
A quick look at their website confirmed my guess that I Hate Sally are seriously metal, more metal than my delicate little palate is used to. I knew this was going to be a difficult review to write and I needed to come up with a plan. If I wasn’t the right person to write the review then perhaps I should ask someone more qualified. I decided to start with the people in the room.
“Its very……..rock and roll isn’t it?�
“It’s noise, but I like it.�
Zac H. – aged four.
“Sounds like a bloody zoo on fire.�
John H. – stockbroker.
It seemed I needed a better plan, but. undeterred. I decided to continue my interviews at the gig. At least I’d be guaranteed a more discerning crowd. After the gig I collared a couple of punters at the bar and asked them for their views.
TR – “I’m doing a review for a website about the band you’ve just seen, I Hate Sally. What did you think?�
Punter A – “Er, yeah, erm they were good.�
TR – “In what way?�
Punter A – “Well, they were good like, y’know, I liked them. You liked ‘em din’t ya Sam.�
Sam – “Yeah, fuckin’ ace man.�
At this point another punter walks over.
Punter B – “Ask me, I’ll tell you what I think if you buy me a pint.�
I ignore him and attempt to get some gems from my two original volunteers.
Punter A - “We weren’t going to come but then Sam had a Barney with his mum so we just wanted to get out of the house. She’s such a cow ain’t she Sam?�
Sam – “Cow, yeah. But they were fuckin’ ace man, fuckin ace.�
TR – “Fuckin’ ace yeah, I got that but…�
Punter B – “Buy me a pint mate, go on. I’ll talk to yer all night.�
TR – “PISS OFF.�
I decided to cut my losses. After a brief chat with the band, who were lovely. and their tour manager, who was equally lovely. I thanked them for the free CD and made for home.
A week passed and I still hadn’t written the review. I couldn’t think where to start and I wasn’t prepared to write a negative review just because a band simply isn’t my taste. From my own experience. this was a great band that managed to win over an initially disinterested crowd. This was a band that gave 110 percent, despite being halfway through a decent size tour. They obviously love what they do, and so did the crowd. You couldn’t help but appreciate their energy and commitment but, like tequila, it just ain’t my bag.
I had just one last chance to get a good, honest informed opinion. I picked up the phone and called Jay, a tattooist mate of mine at Lifetime Tattoo in Derby. Having been subjected to hour after hour of his CD collection whilst in the chair, I knew he was the man who can. Armed with the I Hate Sally CD,
Don't Worry Lady and a bottle of JD I headed to his pad.
“Well, that’s fuckin’ ace man,� he remarked.
I felt a sudden sense of déjàvu.
“I can’t just write that they’re fucking ace, I need more,� I replied.
“Let me listen then,� said Jay “this track sounds damn good.�
For the next hour, Jay nodded and raised his eyebrows in approval. By the end of the CD I was a bit pissed and had decided me reviewing this band was just not a good idea. “How about I leave this CD with you and you write me a short review when you’ve had time to listen to it a few times?�
“You’re on,� he said, much to my relief.
Two days later I found this in my in-box.
I Hate Sally CD review by Jay and John – Lifetime Tattoo
I Hate Sally could probably be described as metal core, reminding us of bands such as Converge, Walls of Jericho and Cursed. We liked the rough, raw sound. Over-produced bands suck, and so we appreciated the unpolished sound of this band.
The tunes were varied and they’re no one trick pony. The musicians can actually play, which is refreshing in this genre, and its great to have a female lead singer. There’s definitely a feminine touch, which is pretty cool.
We’d not heard them before, but this CD makes us want to see them live. We’ll certainly be looking out for them playing the UK again, but in the meantime we’ll be checking out their other CDs. They’re worth getting for the artwork alone.
Top marks.
I couldn’t have put it better myself.
Camden Underworld
Set List
Hannah Hannah
Bathsheba of Seven
Mary Mary
Vicoreey?
Iseah’s Cancer
Don't Worry Lady
CD Track List
1. Eve, Rule Over Him
2. Song for Deborah
3. Hannah Hannah
4. Martha Served
5. Iseah's Rife
6. Iseah's Cancer
7. Bathsheba of Seven
8. Mary. Mary.
9. Anna's Empty Conscious for the Blessed
10. Eve, Be Dear to Him
Credits: Pictures by Robbie Jones. (Cheers Rob.)