Friday, February 9 saw the debut in Thailand of up and coming British rock/pop/punk band Syteria (take your pick as all three descriptors are applicable).
The show was scheduled to start at 11.00 pm and without fail the band took to the stage right on cue, so in front of a small, but appreciative crowd Syteria had arrived. There was a brief moment of panic when lead guitarist Jackie Chambers’ amplifier did not appear to want to work, but one accurately placed sharp kick from her elegantly clad leather boot put things to rights as a satisfyingly loud kerrang came screaming out into the Hard Rock Café, and with that the band were away.
Opening up with “I’m All Woman” from Syteria’s debut album “Rant-O Bot”, the band were flying, with Jackie in classic lead guitarist pose at the side of the stage, back arched as she craved those notes that seem to edge on the borderline of madness but are somehow getable at the higher edge of the fret board.
On the other side of the stage was Keira – a constant blur of movement not only from her flying fingers on the bass but also her stomping around the stage and climbing all over the stacks. She played the perfect role as bass player/backing vocalist and crowd rabble rouser.
Behind them was Pablo on drums, and I cannot remember seeing a drummer keeping such perfect time with a band and hitting the skins so hard. It was a miracle that the drum kit was still in one piece by the end of the show.
Out front on lead ‘throat’ and rhythm guitar was Pablo’s sister Julia. Now this girl is a star and has it all: stage presence, charisma by the bucket load, a voice that can strip wallpaper off and stage presence that commands the audience and makes them pliant to do her bidding. During “Hypocrite” (another great song from the band’s debut album) she asked for audience participation and everyone was powerless but to obey.
Syteria roared through their set with barely a break to pause for breath, and a good sign for the band was that they are already mixing in new unrecorded songs with favorite material from the album. Mid-set the song “Stupid Girl” brought a smile to the face of some of the older patrons but it was when the band broke out the three final anthems that the musical volcano exploded. “When I Get Out Of High School” had the crowd screaming the chorus as all three guitars crunched out the riffs and the final two songs were treated as a victory lap, as the crowd had already bowed to the mighty Syteria and were purely in the mood to celebrate with the band. What a party it was!
A final word must go out to the Hard Rock Café management and staff for putting on this event and the excellent service during it.
We wish Syteria all the best as their star rises amongst the ranks of genuine live Rock & Roll bands. Go out at the first opportunity and support a live band or before you know they will all be gone. Syteria are a good place to start.
Syteria are: Jackie – lead guitar and backing vocals; Julia – rhythm guitar and lead vocals; Pablo – hard hitting drums and Keira – bass guitar and backing vocals.
