After continuing to storm the local scene with their own epic anthems and memorable gigs, Gratiz 3 are set for a mini-UK tour. John Gregory takes a look at the trio who deserve to make a serious impression further afield.
YOU only have to listen once to songs such as Vapour Trails, My Own Cage or Fear of Being Lost — all of which conveniently feature on Gratiz 3's MySpace site — to know this is a trio who really know how to play.
POOL OF TALENT: Gratiz 3 are looking forward to a busy year with dates in the UK and possibly Ireland PHOTO: ANDI HOWLAND
For three musicians — Paul Salisbury (vocals and guitar), Martyn Cain (bass) and Ben O'Hare (drums) they make an incredible melodic, anthemic sound.
Paul's guitar playing provides light and dark, noise and melody, but equally as important, impressive and essential are Martyn's bass and Ben's drumming.
Like all good music, when you hear one of their songs it takes you to another place.
While it is difficult to sum up Gratiz 3's music, the word 'exciting' just about does it.
Out of convenience it would be easy to file the band under 'indie rock' but they cover much more and their sound is euphoric, atmospheric and epic. One minute there is breathless quiet, the next a full-on explosion.
Last year was a busy one for the band — with the departure of their second guitarist they took some time out and regrouped earlier in the year to work on new material as well as consider the older songs which may or may not have worked as a trio.
What emerged was a slimmer but 'bigger' band with a radical change in direction.
Concentrating on working the new material live — and producing The Measure of Time: The Measure of Everything EP — gave them a strong reputation in the Island.
The EP is available on i-Tunes, HMV digital and ballagroove.com
They closed 2006 with a sell-out show with Back Door Slam at the Cornerhouse, Douglas, on New Year's Eve.
This year looks set to be just as busy for them. The forthcoming mini tour takes in Liverpool, Huddersfield, York and Leeds and, having built up some interest via MySpace and through shows with Signified and Mother Vulpine, the band are quietly confident the trip will be a success.
They will also be in the UK in July when they play the famous Night and Day Café in Manchester.
Gratiz 3 also hope to head for Dublin in the summer — a recent review in the popular Hot Press magazine created national exposure in Ireland.
The band certainly deserve the attention they are receiving further afield after becoming one of the giants of the local scene.
They will perform at Bushy's Basement Bar, Douglas, tomorrow(Friday, January 19) before heading to the UK.
www.gratiz3.comwww.myspace.com/themeasureoftimewww.ballagroove.comMini UK tour (as announced at the time of writing)
January 28: Roadkill, Liverpool, with Signified
January 29: TBA, Birkenhead
January 30: TBA, Liverpool
February 1: Joseph Wells, Leeds
February 3: Bar 120, Huddersfield
February 5: The Basement City Screen, York
