Engine7, 13th Note, Glasgow, 17/11/06

Engine7 performed a fantastic guitar heavy set, featuring superb visuals, downstairs at Glasgow's 13th Note Cafe. He performed as part of the regular Tronic nights, with three other artists. LAN Formatique, Babyshaker and 30k made up the rest of the bill displaying what Scotland has to offer to the electronica world.

First up was 30k's brand of inoffensive electronic music, that has been done to death these days. There were some nice beats and some interesting vocals that were cut up, filtered and looped backwards and fowards. But in all honesty, it was a pretty forgettable performance.

Next up was LAN Formatique, using a laptop and a barely audible guitar. Whatever programs this guy was using, they were dominating the speakers, leaving his guitar sounding rather empty. His music reminded me of Keser, but not anywhere near as good. Towards the end of the set glitches in his equipment meant some of his more rockier moments were completely lost in the mix.

Engine7 finally hit the stage around just after 10pm, the lights were dimmed and his superior visuals were on display for all to see. Kicking off with "Blood Nerves America", Engine7, in a live setting, is a completely different equation than his recorded output. Songs such as "Dubpatches" and "Stella, We're Sorry (Snow Peas)" are much weightier sounding live and adding those distorted guitars transformed each song into a My Bloody Valentine shoegazer extraveganza.

There were also 2 or 3 new songs aired too (not sure of the titles yet) that hint that his future direction may continue to explore more guitar orientated themes. In fact, he attacked his guitar with similar fury to Jonny Greenwood during the closing two songs. But it must be said, Greenwood has never dared to use a champagne bottle on his guitar. Overall it was a tremendous set, made even better by the fact this was, amazingly, only his second ever performance.

You can download his most recent release, "Hope Street" here.

All that was left was for Babyshaker, to pummel us all into submission with his Venetian Snares style drill and bass. It all became to much eventually, as his aural assault became more chaotic by the second and I had to leave for the tranqulitiy of the Glasgow City Centre!.

Update - would just like to say, despite the not so good things I said about him, LAN Formatique's recorded output is definitely worth listening to. Maybe he had an off night on Friday, I do know there were problems with his equipment so disregard what I've said above and instead listen to his music here. He has also posted his own review of the gig too.