Turn - Shepherd's Bush Empire, 26th Oct 2000

  by Benjamin Howarth

published: 13 / 1 / 2002

intro

Turn is not a terrible name for a band. As a result of their name, however, and also the fact that they are on Infectious records (home of the likeable Ash, but the boring My Vitriol among others), I

Turn is not a terrible name for a band. As a result of their name, however, and also the fact that they are on Infectious records (home of the likeable Ash, but the boring My Vitriol among others), I had got the impression that they were going to be a boring Nirvana by numbers rock-indie band. That first impression was very wrong. Frontman Ollie Cole is energetic and likeable, and adept at winning over a crowd. As support for Idlewild that was his job. Initially they found it hard going because the crowd almost certainly came with the same impression as me. But their sound is so fantastic that most of us quickly decided that they were first rate. Far from being boring the songs are loud but tuneful, while Ollie's voice is powerful. They are also engaging and able to retain melodies in a live situation. I was not familiar with anything they had done before this concert but I left realising that Turn should be set for big things. The songs are excellent and they can play - the drummer was fantastic! But what really won me over, making me consider myself a fan, was Ollie. He was not impressed with the audience at the start ("you've been a pretty timid audience up to know") but was prepared to work hard to get us engaged. It worked, although while there wasn't frenzied action at the front, they got a good response by the end. Ollie also seemed pretty convinced of his band's ability, and with good reason. It was a short set but the impression I got was that the new album's material , such as the fantasic title track "Antisocial", was a marked improvement from their mini album "Check My Ears". An enjoyable live experience, and one that comes highly recommended. They may not have been had the hype of some groups but they have all the talent!