False-Heads – ‘Tunnel Vision’ EP Review

False-Heads, formally located in Bognor Regis, and now based in London, are a three-piece, Alt-Rock band that have gone through some creative changes and shake ups these past few years.

But – and we’ve talked about the importance of these trios before on Musically Fresh – it seems that the guitar/vocals, bass and drums tri-force have come together perfectly, and these three guys appear to take a slice of everything that’s good with Alt-Rock and it’s subgenres, and have created a sound that throws you from one corner of your mind to the other.

After gaining critical praise from NME and Q magazine, these guys have quickly become an uprising and stand-out name with music fans. So I think it’s time Musically Fresh threw their hat into the mix and see what all the fuss is about.

Now, let’s get down to the review of Tunnel Vision.

1. Fall Around – ‘It is a high risk game of tag, the loser leaves in a body bag’. The message I hear in ‘Fall Around’ is that shit’s going down around us, and you need to wake up to it.

Every member of the band carries us from the beginning to end of this track. I am fish-hooked by the catchy guitar and lyrics, simmered-down by the pacifying bass, and I love the drumming, which provided me with shades of Gothic-Rock band, White Lies.

And check out the video and the band’s YouTube channel below:

2. Anything Else – The influences are strong with this track.

With the intro and guitar throughout reminiscent of The Smiths, possibly The Stranglers, and Luke Griffiths’ vocals reminding me of a young Michael Stipe of R.E.M., you can easily get lost and believe you’re hearing a standard Alt-Rock band from the 90s.

But ‘Anything Else’ then provides us with something else, and that is a second-half, extended solo full of chugging guitar and drumming that must reflect what it feels like to have multiple orgasms, listeners are slapped one side of the face, then quickly punched the other side.

So much is going on throughout this track that I actually choose to discard the lyrics, and listen purely for the instrumentals. It’s sheer pleasure.

3. Without a Doubt – Woah! Crank up the tempo and break the walls of preconception down.

Everything you thought you knew of False-Heads is completely wiped away by the F5-like intro in track three. Distorted bass, some nice (what sounds like) wah-wah guitar in there, and drumming that makes you want to dance like you’re being pelted by an automatic paintball gun, track three might just be the track of the album.

There’s also a really nice chorus in there; ‘I’m in a coma. Pull me out’.

4. Remedy – Although I said track three was album’s high-point – I believe ‘Remedy’ is the track that will steal the show at live gigs. I loved it throughout, and the repeated lyrics make it a perfect anthem for a live crowd to throw themselves in to.

The vocals stick to much of the same pace and rhythm as many of the other tracks, and although this has enabled False-Heads to generate a recognisable sound – I do feel like I want slightly more of a change.

However, ‘Remedy’ is the perfect track to end the EP on – and Griffith’s guitar work in the solo is so fucking hardcore – another album highlight.

There we have it. Tunnel Vision and False-Heads certainly deserve all the praise and recognition they’ve received and that’s coming their way.

False-Heads throw you up, down, apart and together again in the space of four tracks. And you’re left not quite knowing exactly what their specific sound is – but you loved it and want more.

So check out the guys on Facebook and stream and purchase the album on Bandcamp.

And if you’re nterested in seeing these guys live? Check out the upcoming tour dates and get yourselves down to the nearest venue:

• 20^th of October – Bark Gigs, Alleycat Bar.
• 2^nd of November – The Lock Tavern.
• 29^th of November – YUCK Indie Surya.
• 9^th of December – Acid Box Promotions. 1 year anniversary. Venue TBA.
• 20^th of December – Roadkill London.