01.Let Me Down
02.Leeches
03.Walking On Steel
04.Enemy
05.Break
06.So Be It
07.Burn The Flame
08.The Pill
09.Afraid
10.Never Go Back
11.(Never Stop) Singing
12.Hayleen
12.Kill Me Again
Samara Kain (Vocals/Guitar)
Dave Guy (Drums)
Monica Nix (Bass)
Martha Lewis (Guitar)
Formed by Singer-guitarist Samara kain (Ex Nemhain), GASOLINE THRILL took its name when final member, drummer Dave Guy (Kopperhed) took up sticks and completed the line up
alongside Marf Lewis (Guitarist) & Monica Nix (bass). The explosive creative entity and
strong camaraderie were born and a pact to go full speed was sealed.
“It's fast and furious!" and from then on, Gasoline Thrill rapidly became ''THE band to
catch live taking London by storm, emerging as not only a great live act but as a band
who produce outstanding songs” was how i first described them coincedentally on Feb 13th
back in 2009 after their debut gig supporting Nemhain.
Gasoline Thrill gathered speed and produced the self released EP ‘Never Go Back’ under
their previous name Catfight, a 4 song EP comprised of 3 amped-up and 1 mixed-tempo
blasts of fury! Describing their sound would be easiest with a Venn diagram, placed in
the area where metal and punk and distorted indie rock overlap”, writes The Impaler in
Mass Movement.
Following countless interviews, reviews and radio plays, Gasoline Thrill embarked on a UK
tour and recruited new 'Thrill Seekers' playing shows alongside Die So Fluid and Black
Sonic among others while in turn continuing to write new material .
After a successful tour, The Thrill Givers switched into higher gear in the summer of
2011 when they entered the studio in South London to record their most sought after
tracks. The full length album titled ‘Burn’ was ready to release in Jan 2012. In
anticipation, the first single 'Not Afraid' was released digitally in Dec 2011 with a
Video to accompany the track.
In its (at times) turbulant 3 year history they have evolved into one of the most
dramatic and sought after up and coming rock bands with red blooded live performance,
dynamic, high-powered catchy songs and an attitude to match.
So as i said its literally 3 years to the day that Samara first took to the stage with a
new band and now she and her cohorts in noise have produced their first album, so lets
give it a spin!
'Let Me Down' kicks us off in style with a high energy Motorhead vibe, has that kind of snarl that Girlschool had back in the early days. Two thirds in to the song we get a downbeat break that gives the song more body.
One helluva catchy guitar riff drives 'Leeches' throughout, in fact im sitting here singing along to the riff!!
With a touch of the Bryan Adams classic "Run To You" in the general mood the song 'Walking On Steel', its a slow brooding moody rocker.
This one comes armed with some awesome lyrics, "Left the desert, buried my ghosts, i arrive in a shallower place, still i cant break off the chains".
Another mid paced in your face song 'Enemy' is the kind of snarling fuck you that Kat Bjelland once made her own.
'Break' reads like a text message sent to an ex lover.Great backing vocals lift the song to that live sing a long that you know is gonna get the crowd on your side.
Sounds like Kurt Cobain jamming with Courtney Love thats the vibe you get from 'So Be It', interestingly the chorus is very upbeat with a cheerleader styled chant.
Acoustic guitar greets 'Burn The Flame' a fairly straight forward rock ballad, the bass really cuts through the mix on this and keeps the head nodding.
'The Pill' is an old Catfight song and always a crowd fave, Whilst the music is just as aggresive the vocal delivery is very different, making this very much the Gasoline Thrill version and nailing it!
From the opening shout of "Go" the song 'Afraid' conjures up images of CBGB's back in 1977 with The Runaways and Blondie.
Classic styled Rock/Punk brilliantly delivered and perfectly executed.
Fucking love the bassline in this one, 'Never Go Back' blends melody and agression, backing vocals, guitar and drums balanced to the ear perfectly.
'(Never Stop) Singing' fucking right, hmmm seem to remember saying something like that myself a few years ago, a happy and defiant song with some lyrics that ring true, and hey look at the results.
'Hayleen' well i have described this before as a "lesbian grunge rocker" and im sticking to it, so my apologies to Samara and co if this is about something much deeper but hey im a guy and i like the words "Grunge" and "Lesbian".Maybe i shouldnt write reviews whilst drinking vodka?
'Kill Me Again' From the opening bassline this song is pure, deep, violent and disturbing.Its slow, brooding, downbeat like you wouldnt believe.In many ways a simple song about a break up, but for a song to carry such emotion to a level of intensity that you can feel it is almost impossible in music.
A dual vocal approach creates those images of two girls in a darkend room with a dead body between them, maybe its just me?
If ever a song deserves to be heard by everyone then this is it, you will never hear a song this good ever trust me.
Not often you get an album that is perfect, but then its clear that Gasoline Thrill are not your average band, on every level this band deserve your attention.
Rating 10/10
For fans Of: Nemhain, Hole, Babes In Toyland, The Runaways, L7, Girlschool.
STU
