Douglas / Barefoot @ Zelda's World: Punk & Stuff

Douglas / Barefoot Thursday 25th April 2002 King Tuts Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow

Barefoot start tonight with the excellent 'Stand Alone', which is deceptively quiet with just guitar and vocals for about 30 seconds before the drums and bass kick in with an impressive blast. Singer and bassist Chris asks us all how we're doing, and it seems like a genuine question, none of this rock star, "Hey Glasgow, how ya doin'?" bollocks, before continuing into the faster and equally blistering 'Back Over'. Chris chats some more whilst drummer Andy casually starts to tie his shoelace. Chris and guitarist Gazzo then start on the introduction to 'Cold'. By the time the drums are due Andy has fixed his pesky lace, had a drink and comes in right on cue. The rest of the set features more quality songs like 'Deceive Me', 'Taken In' with it's compulsive "the way you make me feel like a loser" chorus and the emotionally intense 'Different Town'. There's also more casual chat from Chris in between songs and slagging off his fellow band mates; Gazzo for his fancy trousers and Andy, well for being a drummer apparently! They play a new song where Gazzo gets to take over on lead vocals and finish off with a cover of the esteemed Mega City Four song 'Iron Sky', both blending perfectly with the rest of their songs.

If Barefoot could not be more laid-back then it's just as fitting that Douglas couldn't be more hyper. After the adequate spacing of Barefoot's three members, the stage is overflowing with what looks like about 10 members of Douglas, there may be less but it's all such a frenzy of guys and instruments it's really hard to tell. Musically they play some of every genre since the dawning of rock'n'roll, mostly at break-neck speed with the screamed vocals of a truly insane vocalist. Think of The Hives or New Bomb Turks but with a bug up his ass (only with a hoodie and too-low-slung trousers) and you'll be getting there. When they play 'Keeping Up' the singer departs from the stage and mingles with the crowd, getting a little too close for comfort to some unsuspecting people as he screams into their surprised faces. After a bit of coaxing a few guys in the crowd start to jump around much to the delight of the now back on stage, crazed singer. Later on he rejoins the crowd to jump off the walls (no, really) and roll around the floor then finally, before leaving, he hugs the people who have remained right at the front throughout.
Zelda
Barefoot website Douglas website