Call it a demand, call it encouragement, hell, call it a mission statement, you can’t deny that calling your band Show It Off is pretty bold and just a little bit catchy. The amount of clever lines I could use here are almost infinite. Why not show off Show It Off? These guys and their music, they just want to Show It Off. Etcetera etcetera, I think you get the idea, and I’ll save using anymore here.
I will however, not guarantee that you’ll hear more of this type of incredibly dumb wordplay from other reviewers/news commentators, because these guys are going places. And I don’t just mean around the block a couple of times because they’re bored. I mean the big time, the whole shebang!
Proving that no genre can truly stay dead (Rock, I hope you’re paying attention here), Show It Off are bringing back the British Pop Punk genre almost singlehandedly, and by giving what any lost or dying genre needs; an infusion of energy with a dash of cheekiness. Recently embarking on their landmark ‘Don’t Be A HaTour’ of the UK, Show It Off are poised for great things in 2012, and having a listen to their work, it’s possible to see why.
I have to admit, I was never a massive fan of the genre in its Sum 41/NOFX/Early 2000’s heyday, but kinda enjoyed a couple of tracks in this area by a couple of bands. With Show It Off, I started by checking out the music video for Tell Me, an infectious number that oozes pure joyous energy, something that is a defining characteristic of pop punk for me. Ok, so it won’t be the most complex song you hear all year, but that’s kind of the point. Its back to basics songwriting, designed to make jump around and enjoy it, more than sit and over analyse it. The chorus/refrain is ideal for shouting along with, and I like the whole question and answer idea within that, and the sustained vocals gliding over the momentum of the accompaniment.
Switching over to Facebook to check out the rest of their songs, I fired up their cover of Katy Perry’s California Girlz. This was of particular interest to me as how a band approaches a cover is an excellent signpost of just how good they are. As I’ve said before, any competent band can cover a track, but the mark of a great band is taking a track and making it their own; by playing to their strengths and remaking the song in that light. That’s exactly what Show It Off have done here, ripping out all the pop sheen of the original and adding that down and dirty guitar and driving drum beats, to make it sound new and interesting. To be fair, it is a little rough around the edges, and some of the vocals sound a bit too strained, but that shouldn’t detract from the fact that this is how you approach covers.
Next up was Turn Off The Lights, and immediately the use of strings in the accompaniment reminded me of summer days listening to Yellowcard, so they get a few personal bonus points from me on that one. This track offers a look and another side of the band; their ability to tackle a more restrained and mellow track. I love the acoustic nature of this one, with the metal percussion in there and yet still retaining elements of their punk strength in the driving acoustic guitar accompaniment and strong vocals. All in all, an excellent track that helps to showcase the versatility of the band.
With that we’re back into Big City Dreams, a song that operates exactly like Tell Me: big on energy, big on catchy melodies and back to basics songwriting. What this does bring to the table though are some deft touches of adding some effects to the vocals and having that big chorus break down in the middle; both work really well. Between the two, I’m slightly more partial to Tell Me, but that’s just my opinion!
Show It Off are out and about in our fair lands as I write this, and are definitely worth checking out live if they’re playing in your area. Even if they are or not, you need to have a listen to their stuff on Facebook; like me, you may not be a huge fan of the genre, but I dare you to listen to Tell Me and not tap your foot...
Ok, so I’m going to break the rule I established earlier. It’s incredibly clear that guys really do have some amazing talent for writing catchy tunes that just radiate sheer joyous energy, and really do deserve to Show It Off.
I’m sorry! No, come back! I promise I won’t use any more puns!
Review by Paul Barnes
Contact Show It Off
showitoffofficial@gmail.com
For all Show It Off Press Releases head over to:
I really do love this band, I can't wait for the "Don't be a HaTour" - it looks so amazing.
ReplyDeleteI'm also glad that they introduced me to your blog. This is my blog: http://themusicfuture.blogspot.com/
we kinda write about similar stuff. It'd be cool to share some bands (: