Article originally appeared on www.pavelware.com.
Having spent practically every weekend in February with Sligo born (though Belfast bred) band A Plastic Rose, I’m quite sure that anything I have to say will be tinted by fond memories of having my gig worn ears soothed by comfortable sofas, friendly conversation and the intermittent smell of Buckfast on the air. And perhaps that’s the best place to start. Comprised of Gerry Norman, Troy Heaton, Ian McHugh and David Reid, A Plastic Rose contain a very insufferable quality in today’s world - behind their music, they are genuinely nice people; interested in fitting into the puzzle that is the music community in Northern Ireland. In a generation that has been trying to outgrow talk of cliques, scenes and in-crowds, they are a band who over the last six months have simply put their heads down and worked hard at making their own material the best that they can. They can count many of the other local bands as not only fans, but friends – and can be seen taking musical life on the chin, concentrating on presenting the wider world with a show of effort rather than spend time focusing on the negatives.
A role at A Little Solidarity and consistantly rising stock (opening for LaFaro and ASIWYFA at the Christmas Two Step) has seen them quickly grow from opening act to cult favourite amongst other bands, and at the present time they are just starting to poke into the realm of headlining – landing top bill at Dutch Shultz’s album launch night. So far it appears the future will see further advancements into this, with the band scheduled to make a proud return to The Limelight in April to headline the Two Step. Constantly striving to make every song sound different without losing the essence of their particular brand of shoe-gaze, you could say that whilst you may not enjoy what they play; you can’t fault their attitude towards their craft. Or at least, you could, but I’d have to tell you that you’re wrong. It is this drive to perfect their sound has seen them move from slow building work like Suns A Shadow to the anthemic Kids Don’t Behave Like This, a song which is instantly recognisable and generates energy in crowds normally reserved for Fighting With Wire – culminating with it, Superspeed and Skin (their latest batch of direct yet poignant songs – recently released via a self titled E.P at the Spring & Airbrake) going down an absolute storm with audiences.
And that comment is not without comparison – there is something, dare I say, Cahir-esque about Gerry Norman’s stage presence; but let’s not get carried away. A Plastic Rose is maturing as an act. With a focus on the fresh turnover of new ideas and a growing affinity for engaging with their audiences, I personally will be following them, hopefully, for many years to come as they continue to draft what is shaping up to be a very distinct soundscape. Providing Gerry’s sofa doesn’t eat me alive some night.
Director: Will McConnell
Bandwidth 2009
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