Northern Irish rockers Red Eye Pariah formed in April 2021, during the pandemic lockdown and amid an unsure world. Once things had settled, however, they wasted no time in building a reputation. Within a couple of years, they’d found a solid grass roots audience, and also gained praise and air time from various radio outlets, including BBC Radio Ulster and the popular alternative broadcaster Radio X (formerly Xfm). On the live circuit, they’ve supported artists as diverse as actor Michael C. Hall and the now legendary disco infused alternative rock band Electric Six.The 2022 EP ‘Koala Tea’ introduced even more people to the rocky Red Eye sound, but their second release, ‘Tequila King’, is an improvement in many respects.
The opening number ‘These Days Have Just Begun’ sets a great sound firmly in place with a wall of chopping rhythm guitars overlaid by a howling lead, creating a huge, epic sound. Despite the forceful nature of the musical melody and crashing drum part, this isn’t merely an exercise in indie-rock bombast. A more melodic vocal soars over the sharper edges, adding more of a flow, and chorus-wise, some understated harmonies flesh out an already great sound. Then, a mellow middle eight changes the mood entirely, introducing a slow rhythm, a world of oohs, and a vibe that hints at a love of modern prog. Reintroducing the driving sounds that powered the start of the track, there’s room enough for a huge guitar solo to top off everything. If this happens to be your introduction to Red Eye Pariah, with a range of rocky sounds and an indication of great arranging, it’s certainly an ear-catcher.
‘The Rounds’ offers something a little more melodic, introducing a buoyant riff that takes a cue from bands like The Fratellis and The Maccabees. It’s a track that immediately shows off the band’s more accessible side, especially when showcasing a clean, ringing guitar against a well structured bass. Musically, it hits upon a near perfect indie rock sound by the end of the first chorus, and although it shows off a huge influence from a couple of the bigger bands from the noughties, Deano Kelly’s vocal style – adopting a few higher registers and unafraid of long, soaring notes – gives the track a more distinctive edge. When it comes to arrangement, this track doesn’t slouch, either. Like the opener, at the point where the listener thinks they know where things are headed, Red Eye Pariah throw in a brilliant curveball, and in this case, they temper their indie based sound with a quick break that that takes in a hard ska rhythm. With a strong combination of hooks and melodies, this is a contender for the EP’s best track.
In another change of mood, guitarist Sammy Stevenson kicks off ‘Words’ with a rather cheeky riff, adding an unexpectedly bluesy feel to the band’s musical pallete. As the melody grows, the band revisits a blend of indie and melodic rock that allows each of the musicians to shine. Between the vocal led moments, you’ll find a breakdown with another big ska rhythm, a bridge where Alex Close leads the charge with a fat bass groove, and eventually a big climax where the drums (supplied brilliantly here, and throughout the EP, by Joe Dawson) add plenty of punch, without dominating everything. Often sounding like three different musical sketches glued together via Deano’s assured vocal, this doesn’t hang together as well as some of the band’s other works, but as a showcase for each of the musicians’ individual talents, it’s always an interesting listen.
By opening with a riff that sounds like the ghost of The Strokes in a melodic mood, the EP’s closing track ‘So Long’ sets a melodic hook in place with immediate effect. As the number begins to branch out, however, it becomes more than a knockabout garage rocker. The first vocal moments sell the track’s main hook without delay, which is a really smart move considering that – like a couple of the other numbers here – the mood changes a little further on. The verse is home to a broad but melodic sound which makes the band appear so much more accessible than on their ‘Kamikaze Kid’ single from way back, but following a second appearance of an absolutely killer chorus you’ll find more appealing sounds. There’s a musical interlude that pushes the bass to the fore and hints at a love of post punk, before a couple of later instrumental breaks really latch onto a huge ringing guitar sound, boosting the band’s indie rock credentials. It gives this EP a strong closing statement, which really helps to garner a feeling that Red Eye Pariah are merely getting warmed up here.
Showcasing some great musicianship, this EP is a great addition to the Red Eye Pariah catalogue. The band’s sound isn’t a hundred percent original, but the way they take their influences and throw them into sharper and more complex arrangements makes the material really stand out. With four brilliantly punchy numbers and an ability to deliver a few catchy as hell hooks, ‘Tequila King’ is very much the kind of release that’s set to win this band a world of new fans.
October 2024
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