Sissy And The Blisters
The Hope,
Brighton
07/10/2011

The Hope tonight is far from a sell-out, which is a shame not only for Sissy And The Blisters but for everyone frequenting numerous nearby pubs unaware of what they are missing. From the way this quartet saunter onto the stage and launch into fervent new song ‘Killing Time’, however, you’d think they were playing to a packed crowd at Brixton.

The band’s sound is a glorious combination of punky riffs, pop beats and organ: a set-up that makes them stand out in comparison to their straight up punk-rock peers. As they thrash out ‘The Wolf’ their style cements itself, with a shoutier chorus intercepting skippy verses. At points the twangs from the organ onstage sound like they have been lifted straight from a ride at the pier down the road thus providing moments of ironic amusement, albeit surely unintentional. ‘We Are The Others’ and ‘Mystics’ demonstrate a deviation from the lighter pop-driven stance featured in other tracks as screamed vocals and rampant chants are paired with riffs so frenzied and a drumbeat so pounding that you can’t help but be impressed by the fact the band successfully keep up with themselves.

As engaging as these Guildford-based lads are, you can’t help but get a slight sense of deja vu. With his low, occasionally drawled and aloof vocal style, it is apparent from the start that lead singer James Geard has the air of a Julian Casablancas in training. Easy on the ear this may certainly be, but you do at times yearn for a more personal and original stance rather than the repeating of one we’ve heard before. The band’s drainpipe trouser look and nonchalant-cool demeanour are also nothing new but they evidently have talent and give an undeniably impassioned performance. With the backing of big-name DJs and some storming tunes to support the hype, it hopefully won’t be long before Sissy And The Blisters form a definite identity and steadfastly carve their own path.

Chantelle Pattemore