EASTERN AVENUE Review

Fire Fences are an energetic 4-piece band from South Wales. Since entering the music world back in 2013, Fire Fences have been making waves on the indie-rock scene and ‘Eastern Avenue’ is the B-side track from their latest release 'In Your Love'.

In the brief time that the band have been together they have released two EP’s, ‘Roses From Dust’ (2014) and ‘Pocket Full of Stones’ (2015), both drawing from their influences of Foo Fighters and Mumford and Sons by blurring the line between alt-rock and acoustic sounds.

‘Eastern Avenue’ opens with a memorable, upbeat, guitar riff. The texture builds with a simple hi-hat beat, which leaves the listener eagerly waiting for the vocals. Aaron Wyn Nicholas has an Americanised yet gritty tone to his voice, similar to Josh Franceschi of You Me at Six. The track showcases Nicholas’ talent well, as his powerful vocals are shown throughout the chorus’ and the outro.

Lyrically the track lacks depth and the listener is deprived of an image as to what, or where Eastern Avenue is, or the importance it holds. Nicholas sings he is "homesick for a place’ he’s ‘never been to" without ever divulging any meaningful or evocative background information. Despite this, 'Eastern Avenue' is a likeable and catchy track that is true to the band's alt-rock style. It contrasts a slow, chilled verse with a lively crescendo chorus, filled with energetic drum fills and guitar licks.

Fire Fences have already performed at many reputable many including The Viper Room (Los Angeles) and The O2 Academy Islington (London), which is inspiring considering the average age of the group is just 19. Later this week they will be supporting indie pop group, High Tyde at CLWB Ifor Bach (Cardiff) and Dragonffli on December 3rd (Pontypool). The band are currently working on and recording some new material, so let’s hope an album is on the way.