GIVEWAY craft indie rock with punk attitude
Six months since their debut EP ‘neighbourhood watch’, GIVEWAY are back at it again.
The community is growing, the GW family is expanding and they have a brand new single to celebrate. Since we last checked in, there’s been another DIY gig at the Cove Boutique, headlining at my own club night in February and a support slot for The Calling. Both the venues were small, sweaty and intimate, GIVEWAY’s natural habitat. They gave their fans, and themselves, an experience like never before, they brought CBGBs to North Devon.
Renowned for these live shows, GIVEWAY are one of the kind performers. Intense but with personality, you come to watch the musicians as well as hear their music. The crowd erupts and the room is electric, the sound is infectious.
‘Nettles’ had already debuted at past gigs; the energy from the crowd is still captured in the recording. Jawbreaker have spawned a younger brother, it’s wearing a leather jacket, smoking behind the bike shed, and it’s got a hell of an attitude. It’s a punchy punk song. And it’s perfect.
From just the first verse, GIVEWAY have clearly matured since the EP. Not just down to the mixing but the whole song is crisper and more refined. The ep explored a whole range of their favourite genres, but ‘Nettles’ is everything GIVEWAY stands for. They’ve found their niche, and doing it better than anyone else. No other band is putting out music with such ferocity and dedication. They put their all into ‘Nettles’ and you can hear it in every chord.
Press play and your back in the Cove. The oh sees squeal from the guitar, and you know you’re in for a treat. Ella is front and centre on this track and I wouldn’t have it any other way, it’s Ella’s voice no question. The vocals are powerful, feminine and never get lost with the rest of the track. Just like on stage, she really steals the show on this one.
However, the drumming is definitely the unsung hero, the rolling thunder of toms, no choice but to mosh. With the Fugazi snare on top, Harry really cements the song as a punk grunge anthem. it’s like Butch Vig himself produced it! Every member of the band has levelled up for this track, holding nothing back and showing us what they’re capable of. After two minutes, 16 seconds, all that’s left to do is hit replay.