Theory Of A Deadman assert ‘neo classic-rock’

It is jolly good to see some North American bands having guts to come and play shows in ‘risky’ Europe; okay, they might not be proper Yanks, they are almost ‘relatives’ from Vancouver, but it is still great when so many tours get postponed. Anyway, Theory Of A Deadman are signed to Chad Kroeger’s new imprint, 604 Records, that makes comparison with Nickelback – obligatory.

It is also fairly unjust: the two Canadian bands do share stylistic similarities although ToaD (a bit inelegant acronym?) are their own men whose band pre-dates the Nickelback’s breakthrough. They like to sonic jog into songs and then let the power and volume carry you through to the sweet ending. Riffage is melodic, guitar-solos economical and strictly functional parts of tunes, amped-up bits truly rocking without ever needing to get near the sonic-boom and intensity of nu- and rap-metallers.

ToaD are led by Tyler Connolly, singer/guitarist, with Ross ‘Friends’ kinda looks that certainly can’t hurt sonic attraction (although the moustache is debatable), who is firmly backed by Dave Brenner (guitar), Dean Back (bass) and Tim Hart (drums). The band’s main influences are the Rock-of-legends such as Led Zeppelin and The Doors plus the ‘Seattle sound’ pioneered by ‘grungers’ such as Nirvana and Pearl Jam. Call it modern riff-rock, someone suggests, but it is more meaningful (if you need) to tag it – ‘neo classic-rock’.

It contains colossal rocking elements, huge melodies, enormous choruses, harmonies, as Connolly explains: “We just try to play the most aggressive music we can but, at the same time, we try to be melodic and come across to as many people as possible. We want to appeal to 16-year-old girls as well as 35-year-old guys.” Well, there was a distinct shortage of 30-somethings, as far as we could see, but given time…

The first single from the eponymous debut long-player, ‘Nothing Could Come Between Us’, should have done it for this quartet (in their mid-twenties) and, hopefully, the next one, ‘Make Up Your Mind’ will do so because they have a repertoire to gratify quite a few age groups. There are punchy ‘Leg To Stand On’ and ‘Point To Prove’, ‘Invisible Man’ (also appeared on the ‘Spider-Man’ OST), emo-moments, such as ‘The Last Song’, the track that’s provided the band with its rather unusual (and death-metal sounding) name. (It was the cut’s original title, actually.)

The set was short but very impressive for a debut showing in London… In particular as they were supporting 3 Doors Down, a band that, appropriately recording for a label called Republican, are ‘right-wingers’. Whether all these ‘Amerock’ will become mega successful in Europe is all up to whether Germany and France veto it.

Nonetheless, long before the end (of 3DR) show we hurry out to be slaves to some other ignorance.