Psillobian - The 12 Bar - 7th July 2004

Psillobian just do not get bored of performing at the 12 Bar, and the 12 Bar continues to get more and more interested in Psillobian, as they consistently draw bigger and bigger crowds.

If you have not yet been witness to this spectacle then you are a fool. If nothing else it is worth watching just to see how brilliantly the band fits the stage.

The 12 Bar was made for Psillobian, with the lead singer and bassist unable to fit on the stage and looking quite happy out amongst the crowd, allowing the lead guitarist to stand at the back, towering fantastically over the rest of the world like a proverbial ‘Rock God’, his long, thick, Brian May-esque hair hiding his face from view.

Away from all this their Psillobian’s music is not bad either. They describe themselves as a ‘Stoner rock group’ but come across immensely heavy on first listen. However, it is unclear whether the set becomes more dynamic and melodic as it continues or if human ears gradually warm to the band’s sound. One thing is for sure – it is hard to leave disappointed.

Husky backing

As you would expect, the lead singer has the most tuneful voice
of the 3 vocalists, but only when the bassist adds his snarling, husky backing does the Psillobian sound seem complete.

The set included ‘A Place Called Home’, ‘Worthless’, which at times cleverly employs two lead guitars, ‘Crucified’, which is based around a lively riff similar to Oasis’ Hindu Times only much more eerie, intensified by the third, deep backing voice provided by the self-proclaimed ‘Space Lord’ lead guitarist.

Psillobian have traces of Muse, Iron Maiden, Queens Of The Stone Age and at times even Led Zeppelin, but away from comparisons are sculpting their own sound, so if you are fully against ‘heavy, stoner-space-rock, you are going to have to try very hard not to get your mind changed.

Written by Dan Jeoffroy

Photography: Dan Jeoffroy