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Diamond Dancer Review From The Railway Club

12 February 2012 7 Comments

Diamond Dancer is with Sizzle Teen Records and the night was a launch party for the new label which showcased two of their bands.

Last night I saw Diamond Dancer at The Railway Club. Diamond Dancer is with Sizzle Teen Records and the night was a launch party for the new label which showcased two of their bands. Alongside Diamond Dancer were some lads called Previous Tenants.

When I arrived at The Railway it was one hot and sweaty bar, packed with people right up to the stage enjoying the show. I caught the last few songs of the Previous Tenants, who were pretty good.

They have a nice indie sound with some dirty guitars and tons of energy. While some of the vocals were a little in and out, you could get the gist of what they’re trying to do with their music and lyrics and I do think that these guys are a band to keep your eye on. I’ll check them out again for sure.

 

Diamond Dancer was a band I had heard about and I was looking forward to checking them out. After a little confusion on the drum change the band finally got a chance to kick it into gear for the audience. I have to be honest I was curious but a little wary when I had read on-line that the band had “traded in their hardcore punk for twinkly guitar hooks and heartfelt vocals.” My apprehension was blown out of the water during Diamond Dancer’s first song.

 

Their sound was full and vibrant and those twinkly guitar hooks had me feeling like I was at a show that was a mixing of early Smashing Pumpkins, Silversun Pickups and My Bloody Valentine. I really enjoyed their music I think their sound would be HUGE through the right system with some nice driving bass riffs and a high end that envelops the room.

 

As people the band had a good vibe too. Carmen Leah who is on synth, piano and vocals not only balances out the guys that she plays with she’s also pretty handy at crafts, having made the Sizzle Teen banner that hung over the stage.  She not only made me feel like dancing but her craft work kinda made me want to play twister too.

 

 

I anticipate great things from Diamond Dancer and Sizzle Teen Records now has me hooked, I will be keeping my eye on the label and an ear to the future.

http://www.diamonddancer.com/

http://www.sizzleteen.com/

http://www.sizzleteen.com/previoustenants/

Diamond Dancer – Sleeping In Mount Pleasant from Diamond Dancer on Vimeo.

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  • Anonymous

    Man, if you’re going to review a show at least have the decency to show up on time and stay ’till the end. You missed two ferociously entertaining bands and didn’t even mention that they were on the bill!

     Also, what exactly is a “nice indie sound”? Superchunk? Wolf Parade? Death Cab For Cutie? Hey, at least they had “dirty guitars”, that sounds right up my alley.

    Normally I’m not one to slag a review. As a journalist myself, I know it can suck when people don’t like your writing—but that doesn’t give you an excuse to half-ass it, and I feel like this review, timely though it is, just doesn’t pass muster. Sorry for the harsh words!

  • anonymous 2

    Dear Anonymous – are you in one of the bands that didn’t get reviewed? It sure sounds like it. I would suggest you get on the road and work hard and try and get signed. News flash for bands: If you are unsigned and opening up for signed acts – chances are you are not going to get reviewed. This has happened to me, you, anyone in a band. Vanmusic did not half ass anything….it just sounds like “sour grapes” coming from you. Sorry for the harsh words!

  • Jason

    That’s cool you’re entitled to your opinion.  I never said dirty guitars were bad.  I LIKE dirty guitars.  If there was a mix up on times to show up for and which bands to review, then that was beyond my control.  I was called out to review Diamond Dancer last minute so that’s who I showed up for.

    I could have left Previous Tenants out of the review, but I did like them so I mentioned them.  I’ll add that they sweat their balls off on stage and that crowd loved them as they put on a strong performance.    

    I’ll keep your comment in mind next time I do a review.

    Cheers

  • http://www.diamonddancer.com/2012/02/15/review-sizzle-teen-records-launch-party/ Review: Sizzle Teen Records’ Launch Party « News « DIAMOND DANCER

    [...] Van Music’s review of our performance here if you missed [...]

  • http://www.sizzleteen.com/sizzle-teen-launch-party-review/ Sizzle Teen Launch Party Review « News « Sizzle Teen Records

    [...] Give Van Music’s review of the show a read here. [...]

  • Snowsuit_Sound

    Anonymous 2, you sound more full of “sour grapes” than the person whom your condescending words are directed at. I was at this gig and I have to agree with the previous post – what’s the point in reviewing half a show? Every good review at least acknowledges the names of the other bands on the bill.

    Allow me to put the record straight – The first band was called We Are Gaze. Fantastic new shoegaze/powerpop band that sounds like Teenage Fanclub if they had Billy Corgan on lead guitar. All three members of that band have put out dozens of albums as members of various other projects and have spent the better part of the past ten years touring their asses off. Additionally, all three members currently have record contracts with other bands that they are associated with.
    The other band (which was actually the 4th band of the night) was called Man Your Horse. Take five seconds to look at their website and it’s clear that they’re no rookies either. Last year they played a 40-date tour that took them to New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Montreal, Toronto, Minneapolis, Portland, Seattle, Edmonton, Calgary, etc, etc. A little knowledge goes a long way before speaking. I’m not as certain as you that “Anonymous” actually was in one of the other bands. He or she identifies him or herself as a journalist and seems more critical of the writing than just the fact that the review ignored the other TWO “ferociously entertaining bands and didn’t even mention that they were on the bill.” I, for one, agree. It’s a half-ass review. 

  • Snowsuit_Sound

    Actually, the review is alright. I just believe in giving credit where credit is due. Two other bands played that night and at the very least, it should have been mentioned that they were on the bill. It should have read,

    “Alongside Diamond Dancer were Previous Tenants, Man Your Horse, and We Are Gaze. When I arrived, We Are Gaze had already played and Previous Tenants were blazing through their final few songs. They have a nice little indie… *insert Previous Tenants review here* …I’ll check them out again for sure. However, the real reason I was here was to see Diamond Dancer. Diamond Dancer was… *Diamond Dancer review*. Man Your Horse closed the night. Sadly, I was unable to stay long enough to hear their set, but if they are friends of Sizzle Teen than I have no doubt that I will be hearing more from them in the future. I anticipate great things from Diamond Dancer and Sizzle Teen… *etc*” 

    Something to that effect. Again, credit where credit is due.