The Butterfly Effect / To The Bones / The Sears - King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow - 05.08.09

Posted by Chris Crowing on 05.11.2009

One of the best gigs I've ever seen, by a band you've probably never heard of - check it out!



This is one of my most anticipated gigs ever. I’ve been waiting with baited breath to see the Butterfly Effect ever since my flatmate first showed me the video for "Crave" more than four years ago. The fact that they are an arena level act Down Under and seem to lack a record deal in the UK means they haven't been back since they played the Barfly (which is a venue I've played at, which should give you an idea of it's tinyness) five years ago.

However with last years The Final Conversation of Kings seemingly getting a June release in the UK, they were back to spread the word.

First, I must pay heed to the support acts. Opening up, the Sears do not impress. While they played respectably enough, their particular brand of female fronted indie is a very much a been-there, seen-that kind of act, which seems to think it has so much mopre edge than it really does.

Their songs sound like the ones which get picked to go over the semi-comedic bits two thirds of the way through every low budget teen movie you've ever seen, and their singer desperately wants to be Dolores from the Cranberries - although it seems like she may have eaten her. Suffice to say there were some ill-advised fashion moments from the lady in question.

Bolton's <>b>To The Bones were much more impressive. A rough and ready rock band, who flung themselves about the stage with abandon. Their down & dirty rythmns and droned vocals would appeal to fans of the Datsuns, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club or Wolfmother perhaps with a large side order of Kyuss and Monster Magnet.

With a tight rythmn section, a bass player playing his bass somewhere around his ankles and a singer who meandered about the crowd when he didn't have to play guitar, I was pleasantly impressed by this band, who also seemed to be genuinely nice guys and you should check out their myspace.

However, tonight was all about The Butterfly Effect, a band I've waited so long to see, would they impress. Hell yes!

For those who haven't heard them, imagine a band that stands at the median point of VAST, Tool and 36 Crazyfists, throw in some Smiths infuences, Muse' ability to weave stunning effects laden songs, and transport their origins to Australia, and you might just have an idea...you'd be nowhere close, but it's the only way I can describe them

Opening with the first track from most recent album The Final Conversation of Kings, the stunningly sweeping "Worlds on Fire" they never let up for the full hour of their set.

The band give us almost everything we want from all three of their full length albums, with "One Second of Insanity" and "Perception Twin" representing the irrepressible youthful energy of debut record Begins Here. "Reach," "A Slow Descent" and "Before the Knew" show of the more mature songwriting and increasing taste for soaring anthems from 2nd record Imago and the most recent album is showcased with the awesome "Room Without a View", "Final Conversation" and "Window and the Watcher" which was introduced as a song for perverts!

For a band used to playing much grander venues in their homeland, they seem to relish the intimacy of playing to few hundred (at most) in King Tut's. Singer, Clint Boge works the (admittedly modest) width of the stage like the seasoned professional he is, and is frequently joined hanging over the monitors by guitarist Ben Hall and bassist Glenn Esmond. Indeed, the Butterfly Effect seem to relish the chance to really see their fans faces and connect with an audience so far from their usual haunts - the fact that their music and this show had recieved absolutely NO promotion in this country, yet everyone in the venue knew all the words to all their songs was NOT lost on the band.

With a clutch of songs capable of fuelling a pleasantly energetic pit and a matter of seconds later inspiring a emotional sing-along, they are one of my favourite acts on record, and I can categorically state that they are even better in the flesh. I had been worried that maybe Clint's voice wouldn't measure up, or the delay soaked effects that give many of their songs their shimmering beauty wouldn't work live, but they did and it was a thing of rare and wonderous beauty.

Finishing the set with "Gone" - a song so searing that it can bring me to tears, for entirely personal reasons and the awesome, crushing "Crave" the Butterfly Effect provided me with possibly the best gig I've ever seen, that wasn't played by Metallica, and then they promised to come back soon. I'll hold them to that.

You really should check them out at their official site and / or myspace.

The 411: The Butterfly Effect are simply one of the most emotive bands I've ever heard on record, and in the flesh they are even better. For anyone who likes heartfelt, powerfully delivered lyrics over some of the most intricaltely layered and tight music you're ever likely to hear, this is a band you should seek out. They should appeal to fans of Coldplay or Killswitch Engage equally and IMHO deserve to be much bigger, worldwide stars - make it happen!

Final Score:  9.0   [  Amazing ]