Young Aviators at the Sebright Arms

“We’re from Ireland…but we live in Glasgow,” states Young Aviators frontman Decky McKay as the band gear up for their headlining set.

After two impressive tours supporting Reef and The Subways, the self-described “indie-grunge” trio are set to make 2013 a fully productive year with the release of their first album Self Help, along with a nationwide tour.

The band take to the stage in the Sebright Arm’s basement, aka The Venue, which is as dark and dingy as one might expect, complete with dirty pint glasses and stained bathroom stalls.

Drummer John Markey hushes the hustle and bustle with a thudding drumbeat before the group launch into their set contrarily beginning with Sunset/Sunrise On the Motorway, the closing and opening tracks on their new EP.

A chorus of fleshy guitar riffs and chunky bass tones quickly set the mood, and it’s not long before all eyes are locked on the band. Perhaps most intriguing however is the band’s diligence for wonderfully measured three-part harmonies, which gives them an incredibly defining sound and sets them apart from other three-piece acts.

Each tune reveals another layer to the band’s ability to deliver solid pop-punk hits, appearing more as seasoned veterans that would sit perfectly within a large festival setup.

The young Irish trio’s on stage antics are reminiscent of early Arctic Monkeys and Jet as they bounce around the stage with the bravado and energy of a band twice their size. That said, the Young Aviators never come across as overconfident or pompous, but rather quite endearing, each donning large smiles as they play and interact with the crowd between songs.

“Are you enjoying yourselves London?” asks McKay only to be met with a single “Yeah!” from the back of the room. Seeming unfazed, McKay retorts, “Jeez, it’s like playing in a library,” thus breaking any tensions or constraints amongst the audience. It’s this lighthearted wit that conquers over the otherwise uppity mass and soon everyone is carelessly dancing around the room.

The band pull no punches as they begin to wrap up their relatively short set, projecting themselves into a fury of high-punk rapture leaving the crowd thirsting for more. It’s clear that these three musicians aren’t just playing for the crowd but also for the love of music, a somewhat fresh and vigorous routine that seems lost amongst other local acts desperately trying to make it.

Jack Hill
Photos: Laramie Shubber

For further information and future events visit Young Aviators’ website here.

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