Just seen the guys have uploaded video footage of their gig at the Betsy Trotwood last Thursday.
Under their video section at www.myspace.com/blaggtheband

Parking Fine is even more of a hit in my opinion after hearing it live.

I'll join the better live than recorded camp here. (Reference to Parking Fine)

Enjoyable songs but it seems the recording have removed the band's character. (The worst example I've ever come across was Stump in the late 80s, fantastic live but the studio recording wasn't even bland).

Recording wise I like Crossed the Line very much - given the praise other's have given here for the live act I have the notion it could be better.

If that is the case then they could well have a hit.

Perhaps being over-critical... photos of band members pulling stupid faces may be amusing for the band but it does them no favours (Thinking of Jimmy the Squirrel here too).

Back to the songs, Away Game is the only other song I'd rate on their MySpace. (Try double tracking - guitar especially), the middle 8 is a bit weak.

I'm more positive about their potential overall because other people who I believe know what their talking about say so.

This was enjoyable but comparing the tracks with the live video they need a better producer to bring out what they have.

Would it surprise you if I said I couldn't get Myspace working? Thought not. Such a shame too, really wanted to check these guys out after hearing the tracks.

I have to smile as I looked everywhere at that gig for the "hidden camera phone" and failed to find it!
What did come accross very well live and the video shows this too, is the whistling solo. Not the easiest thing to do into a microphone and it came over as loud as a keyboard solo.
The atmostphere was well captured.

Yeah the whistling solo comes across really well, not an easy thing to pull off, but he did it.
I agree if a good producer got hold of the tracks, the outcome would be fantastic. I believe the tracks on their myspace at the moment are all home recordings.

They're not the tightest band in the world are they?

And the song sounds like the sort of thing I hear a few times a week at local unsigned shows (lyrics?!).

They'll probably be massive.

On the recordings - there seem to be no live drums on the myspace recordings, which is probably a fairly major factor in the difference between myspace and live versions.

Yes and no Badger.
The quirkiness of their songs needs to expose the human elements in them or they won`t work. I think they are tight enough for what they do, if it gets too altered by somebody, they will end up as yet another band with a "that was brilliant, so was that one, lets go to the bar" sound.
Some music is about loops and computers, some is about human situations put into music.
The lyrics are great, trust me, and the drummer is a good lad, and no I`m not the manager.

Best act I`ve seen all year though.

Yes you are correct there are no live drums, or live bass on those recordings, they were quickly knocked up on laptops to put the ideas down a while ago. I spoke with Paul today, they were recording this evening and i believe there should be some good live recordings going up over the weekend.
Yes in the right hands these guys will be massive.
I disagree with your comment that they sound like every other unsigned band out there.
Blagg have their own unique acoustic/keys feel with a very british sound, whereas most other unsigned bands out there try to sound american, and have nothing that sets them apart. Each to his own though.
Toni.

Toni wrote:
Yes you are correct there are no live drums, or live bass on those recordings, they were quickly knocked up on laptops to put the ideas down a while ago. I spoke with Paul today, they were recording this evening and i believe there should be some good live recordings going up over the weekend.
Yes in the right hands these guys will be massive.
I disagree with your comment that they sound like every other unsigned band out there.
Blagg have their own unique acoustic/keys feel with a very british sound, whereas most other unsigned bands out there try to sound american, and have nothing that sets them apart. Each to his own though.
Toni.

Wow, you've not been to see many live unsigned acts then surely?!
Lately everyone has been imitating the Arctics and Libertines...
The screamo scene that was around in 2002-2004 has sort of been left to American bands and the Lost Prophets... nobody wants to be the next My Chemical Romance anymore either.

Get to Croydon this weekend... there are many a good Bristish band playing there!

Toni`s right I honestly did not expect the accoustic/keys live feel to be pulled off so elegantly live,(in fact I did not expect to see an accoustic onstage!) I just liked the songs initially and the enthusiasm from the band, which is why I went to see them.

Blagg are my major tip for this year, they ARE going to be massive.

I do obviously hear a lot of unsigned bands myself , it`s what i do,but I hadn`t heard/seen one like this before, you can indeed spot the influences, but they are all not in the correct order for the average listener, that`s very cool with myself.
So much potential there.

Exactly, they have some interesting influences, Squeeze, madness, the specials, as stated on their myspace.
Real bunch of enthusiastic chaps.
If they already have a few hits in the making, then the future looks bright for them.
Definately a band to watch.
Good to see JK agrees they are one to watch.
They have an immense ammount of potential.
Good luck Guys.

Yeah their influences definately shine through. Cracking bunch of songs. Nice to hear something exciting starting to break through.

What I particularly like about this band is that they have got plenty of ideas...somebody in this band can write and the front man looks and sounds the part.

I also like the fact that they have bothered to get themselves tight.

Ok, the sound on the vid and demo on Myspace ain't all that. Soon sort that out in the studio. Pile the band in and get some live mics up...off you go!

Definately got plenty of strong writing ideas,too right the sooner someone gets their hands on these boys the better.

I hear a rumour that Martin K is wanting to get involved with producing this band Blagg. Any truth in it?
Are they signed with mgt yet?