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I Am Giant - @ Bar Bodega, Wellington 25/01/14

27 Jan 2014 // A review by tonymcdonald

Razor Wire, City Limits, Purple Heart, Let it Go, And We’ll Defy; were taking control of my inner brain and senses within the first 30 minutes at Bar Bodega. Most of these tracks are from the 2011 album The Horrifying Truth and to be honest even if they don’t release another studio album anytime soon I am more than happy to keep listening to these songs on repeat.

I Am Giant produced probably the best sound I have heard in years and the closeness and intimacy of Bar Bodega was intense and suited the band very well. Not to say that they would be out of place in a large stadium, but Wellington embraced them completely.

Ed Martin’s vocals were spot on throughout and he is such a charismatic front man. Being a drummer myself I had a huge appreciation for the sound and passion of Shelton Woolright, nice work.

The bass (Paul Matthews) and guitar (Andrew Kerr) were so powerful it was an impressive cacophony, and the wall of sound was enough to take my breath away.

A girl stood next to me had never heard them play before and hadn’t even got any songs on her iPod. That all changed throughout the course of the gig as she madly made the electronic dash to the iTunes store.

With dark walls, sticky floor and ringing ears I am Giant and Bar Bodega are a combination not to be missed. Look out for them near you.

 

About I Am Giant

With an impressive 70,000+ loyal fans on Facebook and over 1,000 international members of their ‘IAG Army’, I Am Giant have amassed a huge worldwide following with four #1 rock singles and a certified gold album in New Zealand, music videos featuring skate and surfing icons Tony Hawk and Kelly Slater, opening for Slash in Australia, a UK tour with Taking Back Sunday, performances at Big Day Out in Auckland and Sydney, opening for Stone Temple Pilots in Singapore, touring throughout Asia several times, and playing the prestigious Viper Room and Mercury Lounge in the US.

Their debut album The Horrifying Truth, was recorded with acclaimed producer Forrester Savell (Karnivool, Dead Letter Circus, The Butterfly Effect). I Am Giant bound together what they describe as “a collection of stories, thoughts, observations and exploration” into a cohesive and hard-hitting explosion of sound and melody. From the first song Purple Heart to closer After The War, the sharp lyrical themes draw the listener into the band’s growing awareness of mortality and loss of innocence. The Horrifying Truth is pure, unadulterated rock, with its heart on its sleeve and an unquenchable fire in its soul.

October 2012 saw I Am Giant release The Horrifying Truth in the UK and Europe, where their single Purple Heart won support on BBC Radio One as Zane Lowe's ‘Next Hype’ , XFM, Kerrang! Radio and Q Radio as well as hitting the No 1 spot on Polish Radio Eska Rock.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for I Am Giant

Releases

Life In Captivity
Year: 2018
Type: Album
Buy Online @ Mightyape
Science & Survival
Year: 2014
Type: Album
The Horrifying Truth
Year: 2011
Type: Album
Buy Online @ Mightyape
City Limits/Neon Sunrise
Year: 2010
Type: EP

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