Battle

Perhaps it’s a bit harsh to call Battle a poor mans Bloc Party, but essentially that’s what they are. On the outside Battle are producing a very similar art-rock sound, and even play with more conviction than you’ll ever see Bloc Party doing, but they still lack that crucial slice of originality.

Despite some cracking tunes the band are just a little too conventional and as good as the songs are you cannot get away from the formulaic approach they’ve taken. This is great stuff, there’s no doubt about it – but haven’t we seen it all before?

Their first single ‘Isabelle’, is a typical song to be released on The Fierce Panda label. Charming and delightful, fantastic vocals leading a melodious guitar hook that echoes around the room, but it’s nothing particularly ground breaking and doesn’t particularly establish Battle as one of a kind. Still, the energy that lead singer Jason Bavanandan gives to their performance really does bring the song to life.



There was a polite distance between the crowd and the band. Nobody seemed to want to get too close and it was one of those rather surreal King Tut’s gigs where you get the impression everyone was being extremely judgemental of the band.

Bavanandan seemed happy enough for the support they were being given, especially as it was so far away from their London home but I was rather surprised that the venue wasn’t a little more packed, considering that Battle’s last single 'Tendency' was championed on XFM Scotland as their single of the week and even managed to dent the top 40. For 'Tendency' Bavanandan swapped his guitar for a keyboard, accompanying a vaguely familiar 50’s style guitar riff that played along in the background. The vocals are excellent throughout and comparisons to The Cure, and yes – Bloc Party again, can be drawn. As the gig progressed it became all the more apparent that the short 45 minutes set would only offer a taster of what the band are capable of.



Battle are well worth seeing, they have a fairly engaging live presence and many of the songs are beautifully constructed. If you’re into your melodious indie and you’re finding X & Y is getting a bit tedious I’d definitely recommend giving these guys a go.

FUTURE GIGS

sorry, we currently have no gigs listed for this act.