chest pains nk, Rock Or Nothing?
© Andrew Benge
It’ s as though they have reserved a higher grade which soars way above the power chord explosions of the typical Rock band. That can come across a little stale, but Chest Pains are countering that. The best example is Favourite
Fruit as one of the poppier tracks of the EP. The song redeems a « cookiecutter » nature, hitting the right notes not because of what Sam says but how he says it. There’ s a slowing in his voice, a wobbly quiver, a mimic of travel haze and the very pensive nature of the lyrics. Much reminiscent of the early Arctic Monkeys releases, a mishmash of different styles and influences.
However, it must be said that as an original sound, Bath Bandits lacks the creativity and unconventionality inherent in any of the all-time great Rock bands they could impulsively be compared to: The Ramones; The Buzzcocks; The Strokes. But then, how many bands actually make it to this level? Chest Pains have a massive potential but are still trying to figure out where they want to go. Rock? Punk? Or neither? What we know is this; some might say they’ re just another in the long line of buzzsaw guitar bands with Northern accents. But we know that when you listen, you’ ll be quietly surprised by what you get out of it...