Artist: Dogtide 

Venue: Trillians Rock Bar, Newcastle

Date:  7 July 2002 

I've just come back from watching the most incredible performance by this band to date.  The whole gig from start to finish was totally awesome and can only be attributed to the bands unwavering commitment to their music and what they believe in.  I can truthfully say that this band is my favourite unsigned band and if they carry on with gigs like this it won't be long before they turn into my favourite signed band.

Without a doubt Dogtide are most definitely one of the most promising bands to come out of the North of England in a long time.  Although playing in their native home town of Newcastle, this is actually the first time they've played this particular venue.  A quick glance around the room at the crowd that has turned out tonight to watch the bands perform confirms my suspicions that the vast majority are here to watch the support act Dogtide, and not the headliners Nerve.

What sets Dogtide apart from all the other up and coming bands out there is that they have come a long way in a short space of time and every success has totally been down to their sheer hard work and give it all attitude.

Anyone who has witnessed this band live will tell you that, from start to finish, they give it 200% in the delivery of their songs each and every time.  I've honestly not seen them do a bad gig to date.  Long may this continue!

Tonight though should have been the real test of their skills. Trillians is nationally renown for the top class rock bands it allows to grace it's stage.  If ever there was a time to be nervous and to loose the plot, then tonight would be the night.  However contrary to what you'd expect to happen the band came on looking calm and collected.  They launched into 'Undefined' an old favourite from their self titled EP and totally blew all our fears away.

Not content at just starting well they continued to play the whole set  like I've never seen them perform before.  It was like they'd been told their very lives depended on this gig.  I only wish there'd been some record scouts in that night because I know they'd have signed them up right there and then.  The passion in which they performed their songs, the quality of their lyrics, all came together beautifully to create a unique and powerful force that captivated their audience.

During their 50 minute set the band performed not only all the tracks off the above mentioned EP, but also a handful of new songs to wet our appetite for the release of their forthcoming debut album.  We were also treat to a blistering cover of Kerbdog's 'Mexican Wave'.  A song that if you mentioned it by name I wouldn't have known it, but as soon as they broke in I realised I did know it after all.  Fan-bloody-tastic!  It's no wonder the band received a thunderous applause from the crowd when they'd finished it.  Perhaps Kerbdog (or Wilt as I'm reliably informed they are called now) should consider them as their support act next time they tour?

The band have such a broad and boundless appeal to fans both young and old.  The combined vocals and incredible guitar playing by both Ben and Adam are what take the band that step further and sets them apart from all the other unsigned bands out there.  perched behind the drums at the centre rear of the stage is Bob, the man who should perhaps be described as the driving force of the songs.  His job is ensuring the other two keep the tempo and mood just right and what a grand job he does too.

Looking calm and collected these three young men gave a breathtaking performance here tonight.  Whereas some bands get stuck in a rut and never seem to progress any further than local cult status, Dogtide have more than proven to us here tonight that they have a great many more mile left in them and their songs.  If this was a journey then they've only just warmed up the engine.

It's been an absolute honour to be able to stand here tonight and watch these mighty craftsmen at work.  Their god given talents are in such abundance that it's verging on criminal.  I have no quarms in saying that if my six numbers came up this week, this is where I'd be ploughing a sizeable chunk of it into.  I'd make sure they got the best recording equipment and studio in which to record all their future albums.  A manager who would sort out all the mundane hassles of the music business and leave them alone to concentrate on what they do best - making music to play to their ecstatic fans.  lastly, enough promotion to make those big shot record execs sit up and beg them to sign up with them.

Dogtide are one of those nu-breed bands you've been hearing all about.  They're ready to take rock music that one step further.  They are a band that are destined to make it to the big time.  Go see them now before they get discovered and you have to queue for 6 hours to get a ticket to their stadium filled gigs.

Setlist: Undefined, Anabolism, Descent, F.A.M.F., Synthetic, Mexican Wave, 2/3, Redneck, Vent

 

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