Tomas Barry’s fascination for Rowland S Howard’s distinctive guitar playing has never been questioned. As guitarist for local band Witch Hats, Barry’s dark, jagged chords plunged through the sonic atmosphere with violent, ruthless precision; with Howard condemned to the great rock band of the sky, Barry decided to put together a band to further his adoration for Howard’s invigorating style. Conceived at a time when Barry’s ongoing membership of Witch Hats was the subject of conjecture, Barry put together a new band, Parading, comprising of Mark Nelson (Stabs, Miniature Submarines) and Tom Coleman. Parading’s eponymous debut record isn’t going to be a hit on the dance floors – the instrumental Alexandra Pde is meandering, like the traffic on that slow-moving arterial – yet with an intensity that builds as gradually as the subtlety of a hash cookie. No Matter is dirtier, nastier and with a threatening rock gait that demands attention.Where Are You Taking Us utilises the obvious talents of Alex Jarvis (on “noise guitar”) to create a dark and foreboding atmosphere guaranteed to make the weak of heart and shallow of spirit call for the brown corduroy trousers; Radio 5 is a moment of respite, a vague hint of light space-tinged pop overseen by the ghosts of Spaceman 3 and The Church after a gold afternoon fix. The 5-track EP concludes with the almost romantic First Time, with Barry’s monotonous vocal style and industrial-strength dark punk chords evoking every lingering memory of Rowland Howard’s rich legacy. And like the rest of the record, it hits the mark perfectly. This is a record for the true believers.
Label : Z-Man Records
MICK MALONE
