Ayatana, 20th October 2007, The Ruby Lounge

Performing as part of the main fringe event for the much hyped ‘In The City’ weekend, from the start of their set Ayatana made no attempt to woo crowds with self-indulgence and cold, cliché banter. They said hello and swung into their funky fuzz rock and just made everyone in the audience grin. That is the nature of Mike Brotherton’s flavoursome guitaring – gruff blues licks that hit some nerve in your brain that can’t be over-ridden by rational thought. Because rational thought would say, no this isn’t what we’re supposed to be into these days…What’s going on is that Ayatana have taken from the influence of previous generations, a vital ingredient which many bands lack nowadays, and are bringing it back afresh at a time when, amongst the lad-rock and emo-indie drawl, it is desperately needed.

The key to their approach is apparent in the distinct sense of the band giving themselves the space (in terms of the song structures and rhythms) to get into the groove. And infectious opening numbers ‘The Underachiever Song’ and ‘Kyoto’ are full-on groovy. Matt Fitzpatrick’s bass lines roll effortlessly out of the band’s relaxed presence and Daniel Leigh’s drumming pegs down the band’s jam-style into the head-nodding swing upon which Brotherton adds his Daniel Johns-esque vocal. They dip into heavier sounds without ever falling into the black depths, with Brotherton’s crunching guitar at the heart of their grunge tone.

One of the set’s highlights, ‘Disgrace’, exemplifies their style; the memorable riffs that form the basis of the songs are matched with jazzy breakdowns, some impressive guitar solos (including good use of the wah pedal!), and fluid vocals. It makes for a great live show, and powerful set-closer ‘Flood’ is telling of where this three-piece’s music is coming from. “We need to reconnect” sings Brotherton. Stripping their rock down to fundamental and effective elements, they drive it with their genuine passion and musical competence. And without any barriers of pretence between them and their audience, Ayatana are giving us the opportunity to hear good rock music once again.

www.myspace.com/ayatana

Sean Dagan Wood
www.seandaganwood.com