After watching I Am Giant in Wellington at Bar Bodega in January, I simply couldn’t let the opportunity pass me by. In January the gig was amazing as you can tell from my review. This time, however, it started badly and it wasn’t the bands fault.
The sound was quite honestly awful, and I think, I Am Giant were blissfully unaware, as they thrashed around in their normal energetic way. After several songs however I am pleased to say that the sound crew managed to turn it around, and suddenly the crowd were watching and listening to the more familiar I Am Giant. Deep bass, powerful drums, insane guitaring, and of course Ed Martin’s vocals which needs no explanation to those who know the band.
The gig consisted (as you would expect), with a mixture of the two albums The Horrifying Truth and Science and Survival, both reaching number 2 in the NZ charts.
I must admit that I am more of a fan of the older album and so were the crowd. Let It Go brought down the roof, and two days later I can’t get the damn song out of my head. I have added the link to the video so it can get stuck with you too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSZYhxwGPew.
Overall a mixed review, but please don’t be mistaken, I Am Giant are still one of the best NZ bands you will ever get the chance to see.
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.