But in music, too many cooks can certainly spoil the broth and when bands begin to resemble gangs, it’s time to start questioning the purpose of hiring deadwood (tambourine players and vaguely amusing maraca-shaking dancers be warned!) when a smaller, more talented band could admirably fulfil all necessary duties amongst themselves.  

 

This is where Bristol alt-rock threesome Loci enter, carrying a gleaming aura of hope to our long-suffering lugholes with their pioneering ‘AGITrawk’ sound. Confirming that old saying about big things and small packages, this power trio have been touring extensively, playing everywhere from Cardiff to Colchester but tonight they were back on home turf to play material from their new EP ‘Medic’- a sharp and distinctive parcel of dark alt-rock with grinding bass lines, intelligent lyrics and intricate male/female vocal harmonies.

 

Listening to this fresh collection of tunes certainly set my expectations for their live show tonight into the highest bracket. So, with a feeling of anticipation like that of a rather short man struggling to reach a naughty magazine from the top shelf, I was hoping not to go home disappointed!

 

The chosen backdrop for this evening’s performance was a huge screen displaying a mash-up zombie horror flick behind the stage. Potentially, this could have been a surreal distraction from the band’s performance but just moments into their set, it was clear Loci weren’t going to be upstaged by anything. Kicking off with some mysterious electronic noises before seamlessly hurtling into the beautifully riff-heavy track ‘Zweifel’, the trio forged an immediate and intense connection with the mesmerized crowd.    

 

From the first chord dozens of beady eyes were transfixed on frontman Ben’s guitar-wielding antics, which included the ability to sing and play intricate lead with ease whilst frequently jumping around, spinning in circles and dropping to the floor. If you like bands that are exciting and animated on stage, you’ll probably appreciate how rarely performers manage to grasp that essential balance of unleashing high levels of physical energy whilst still retaining a credible standard of musicianship.

 

But this evening, whether playing the deep and shadowy noir-track ‘Iodine’ or straight up fast and furious grunge, this three piece managed to convey an electric display of energy whilst remaining focused on their musical roles. Impressive exploits-after all, anyone can hold a guitar over their head, but to play it at the same time whilst combining this arm-tiring action with wonderfully expressive vocals and the occasional spiralling tuck jump-that’s talented entertainment which makes you realise how truly unique Loci are!

 

Further into their set and stunning bassist/vocalist Janet seamlessly weaved haunting sample noises into the darkly brooding track ‘Quoits’, whilst hammering out rich bass lines in impressive co-ordination with speedy drummer Tim’s absorbing rhythms. I’m usually a little apprehensive about the use of samples in live rock but this multi-talented bassist’s efforts paid off as her subtle incorporation of electronic sounds complemented but didn’t detract from the band’s commitment to performing a pure rock show.

 

To complete the evening’s rock frolics, Loci took a final lunge together into the intensely powerful ‘Cult of Insects’. Heads banged along to Janet’s elegant vocal harmonies and strong, complex bass compositions whilst Tim pounded effortlessly through a dense mesh of intoxicating beats and skilled time changes.

 

Although their set was coming to a close, the band’s bright eyes and friendly grins showed not even the slightest hint of fatigue. As someone who gets out of breath when just running for the bus, I felt inferior to this trio whose physically demanding show seemed to pass over them like a sweat-free breeze (gym here I come!).      

 

Finally, as a sweet cherry treat to top this evening’s creamy-rich rock sounds, Ben took a hurtling leap from the stage and into the crowd where he was greeted by the some truly inventive but heartfelt mosh-dancing before the venue was submerged in a storm of whistles, screams and crazed clapping.

 

As the house lights went up, I felt as satisfied and enlightened as an apple-scrumper sampling my first batch of home made cider! I had just witnessed a perfect blend of superb musicianship, fantastic tunes and total lack of pretentious arrogance that’s scarce in music at the moment. Loci deserve to be embraced and cherished like the rarest, and sparkliest of treasures-especially by anyone who feels disenchanted by the current barrage of drainpipe-wearing, bar chord-reliant posers who inexplicably keep getting churned out of the music mill.

 

For more information log onto: www.locionline.com