27 July 2010 (gig)
20 August 2010
My Reckoning are a rarity amongst the current alternative music scene, for not only are they an awesome live act, but a band with a female lead who has an equally awesome voice (and an attitude and stage presence to match it).
Originally a four-piece band from Basildon called 70 Pence More (with then singer Joe), the four-piece band was reduced to three members last year when Joe decided to part. Alas, occasionally minor catastrophes can turn into fortune cookies, and fortune came in the shape of vocal talent LJ – a lady born to belt out exciting rock tunes!
How energetic and how great a live act they are could be seen at the recent Steve Conte gig at Monto Water Rats, where My Reckoning were one of the chosen support bands.
Stirring the action with ‘Toe In The Water’ and ‘Standing’, the third number ‘Move Outa My Way’ – a mellow number with slight folk-rock hues – gave the band’s leading lady perfect opportunity to demonstrate her powerful vocal range. It’s easy to hear - and to see – why LJ feels influenced by other female artists like Amy Lee or Storm Large.
‘Wasted On Me’ started with a fast and hard guitar intro performed by Darren on lead guitar, followed by melodious vox and an arrangement that drifted into a slow retro-style guitar solo – only to climax into a power rock tune with killer riffs and an abrupt ending. An absolutely brilliant track!
‘Hating Through The Grin’ (there’s a T-shirt slogan!) started off with a driving rock beat and again changed tempo mid-track. With its heavy rock guitar solo as well as catchy backing chorus and twangy riffs towards the end, it perfectly highlighted with how much gusto the band performed. With new member Aimee on rhythm guitar and backing vocals (it was only her third gig with the band), and with Mark on bass and Paul on drums, here were backing musicians that perfectly complimented LJ’s performance.
‘The Game’ is a rock ballad with a slow guitar intro and a general slow start that had the emphasis on voice rather than instruments. Building up to heavier and faster, but still allowing LJ’s voice to shine through strong and clear, it was a great closing number, albeit for a set that seemed way too short.
As is so often the case, My Reckoning belong to the tragic species of unsigned talent who should have scored a record deal by now. The fact that they haven’t isn’t their fault, that’s for sure!
(www.myspace.com/myreckoningband)
