As a band SOG seemed to bring something refreshing to
the stage, an excitement often only seen in bands with a
small following who know they’re just around the corner
from something big. SOG played the venue not like the
small-ish club it is, but more like they were performing to
thousands of screaming fans. Their music (and stage
performance in general) was evidence of a passion for
music not often found in the more popular bands at the
moment.

With one hand clutching the microphone and the other
clenched in a fist lead singer Andy Metcalfe sang as if he
really meant it. I think the most refreshing thing about the
band is that they seem genuine. It’s easy for bands to get
ignored as ‘run of the mill’ Indie bands, but SOG seem to
be trying to break out of the mould of generic Indie, and
stretch themselves to bigger and better things. The
songs were catchy, if a little similar in style, but
interesting none the less.
Sound Of Guns
The Cockpit (Leeds)
31st January 2010
Review By: Catherine Conolly

‘Sound of Guns’ are an Indie band consisting of five members from
the city that has produced one of the all time best British bands,
Liverpool.

Whilst SOG bear little resemblance (physically or musically) to the
Beatles, there seemed an odd sort of similarity between their Leeds
venue, and the famous Liverpudlian club The Cavern. Perhaps, like
the Beatles, SOG are destined for big things?
As a band SOG seemed to bring something refreshing
to the stage, an excitement often only seen in bands
with a small following who know they’re just around the
corner from something big. SOG played the venue not
like the small-ish club it is, but more like they were
performing to thousands of screaming fans. Their music
(and stage performance in general) was evidence of a
passion for music not often found in the more popular
bands at the moment.

With one hand clutching the microphone and the other
clenched in a fist lead singer Andy Metcalfe sang as if
he really meant it. I think the most refreshing thing
about the band is that they seem genuine. It’s easy for
bands to get ignored as ‘run of the mill’ Indie bands, but
SOG seem to be trying to break out of the mould of
generic Indie, and stretch themselves to bigger and
better things. The songs were catchy, if a little similar in
style, but interesting none the less.
Several of their songs reminded me of early U2 performances, but without the massive egos. In terms
of music they sound a bit like a cross between the Manic Street Preachers, early U2 and the Verve.

In all honesty, for most of the songs I did find it somewhat difficult to hear what Metcalf was actually
saying. Between songs he would explain who they were and where they were from, but I feel that
perhaps the experience was something close to how it must feel to go out with someone stupid, you
know you want to understand what they’re saying, but you just have no idea.

But despite this SOG still have a significant stage presence, both charismatic and captivating
throughout their performance. At one point Metcalfe left on top of the speakers to continue his song.
Whilst it may seem to some as clichéd as smashing a guitar at the end of the set, when Metcalfe did it it
seemed as if he was just looking for a way to express his excitement at being on stage. I think that’s
what so endearing about them as a band, a large part of their ‘legitimacy’ as performers seems to stem
from the fact that they just seem to love being on stage. They act like a band that enjoys the gig almost
as much as their audience. SOG definitely deliver a refreshing blast of talent on stage, and show why
new bands will always be important on the music scene. I hope they go on to receive the recognition
they deserve, but I would hope that they don’t change too much as a result. The very reason they are
different and interesting to watch is because they’re different to a lot of the run-of-the-mill Indi acts
floating around at the moment, but a rise in popularity could see them forced into a generic mould
creating yet another space-filling, album-selling, vacuous Indie band.

All in all, I think SOG could have a bright future, but they should be wary of falling into the traps many
before them have succumbed to and try to keep their passion for music as long as they can.