Is this loud enough for you, said the guitarist cupping his hand behind his ear? "Yeah!" roared the audience as they underlined their enthusiasm with fist punching in the air.

An impressive sight of unity and an impressive feeling of claustrophobia as more than 100 people sandwiched themselves into the confines of High Wycombe's White Horse pub on Friday night.

So why was there so much euphoria about a local band called Loudwater?

Quite simply this trio of twenty-somethings were producing an exciting mixture of hooks, licks and beats that produced foot-tappin', shoulder-snappin' melodies. It was refreshing to listen to a local band who didn't over-egg their effect boxes nor experimentally distort their guitars through an amp.

Loudwater also impressed me because the trio-too-good-looking Col on bass, tub-thumping Biff on drums and cheeky-chatty-Jim on guitar weren't trying to look miserable/cool or scary/wild. (In fact they didn't even have an image judging by the bobble-hatted supporters who sang along to the songs.) What was so refreshing about Loudwater, the band not the place, was they all appeared to be enjoying themselves thoroughly and this coupled with good music is a magnet for any High Wycombe crowd. A band worth looking out for locally.

The headlining band, Firebird, were a different kind of rock with a different kind of following. The band's press release informed me of the musicians involved. Bill Steer, ex-member of Napalm Death and Carcass, on guitar and vocals, Leo Smee member of Cathedral on bass guitar and organ, and Ludwig Witt member of Spiritual Beggars.

Now for those who don't follow extreme metal that closely these three bands are known for their kick-ass, grindcore, head-shaking ... noise. However, as Firebird, these three musicians play beautifully. Strange, but true they produced a wonderful sound of blues inspired rock that encouraged the listener to lose themselves in the guitar riffs, rather than lose their heads.

The trio are obscenely talented on their chosen instruments providing a distinctive 70s vibe and even indulging in a cover of a Traffic's classic. What amazed me the most was the once rawkus audience were now quietly nodding their appreciation. Rock -it's a strange phenomena.

December 3, 2001 13:30