Live Music Friday 3rd October 2015

Between Waves, Forever Vendetta and High Stakes

We had a new band in the Masons Arms last weekend as well as some familiar faces. Between Waves are a female fronted rock band from Bridgend with a sound very similar to Lacuna Coil. I think this comparison must have been a few times before as guitarist Lee Wood did roll his eyes a bit when I told him this. Sometimes I think that bands have two guitarists just to share the cost of hiring rehearsal rooms and studio time but Between Waves worked the dual guitar sound well with Lee’s clean guitar cutting through the heavily overdriven guitar of Richard Wood's rhythm guitar. This combined with Helen Page’s melodic vocals over the top of a distorted backing gave Between Waves an interesting and powerful contrast of sounds.

Between Waves live at the Masons Arms 03/10.15. Pic by Llanelli Rock Scene

Next up were Forever Vendetta with a classic rock sound that in the past you would have to wait for Iron Maiden or Guns ‘n’ Roses to be touring and have to travel to Birmingham to hear. Now we have top quality bands playing this style right on our doorstep most weeks.

Forever Vendetta live at The Masons Arms 03/10/15 Pic by Llanelli Rock Scene

Headlining the night were Masons regulars, High Stakes. I’m always impressed by the big sound of this three piece band. Singer Liam Williams' deep gravelly voice and the bands’ catchy choruses give them a great rock ‘n’ roll sound. Unfortunately, due to a combination of rugby and pub regulars being elsewhere, by the time the band had reached the end of their set, there wasn’t much of a crowd left. This meant that they weren’t cheered back on stage to play my favourite song of theirs, Fatal Desire. Hopefully we will see a bigger crowd next time and I’ll get to hear it then.