Concert Review : Pallas - The Ferry, Glasgow

There are times you might feel a bit short changed when the support act only plays three songs. But when two of them are fifteen minutes each, and the other is twenty minutes long then that can only mean one thing.

Said support act were Abel Ganz, a local prog band of some repute but which I hadn't heard until this evenings show. Short songs were clearly at a premium, but they had interesting and diverse instrumentation with strong vocals. From my perspective, they ticked the right box as melody and structure was prominent, with technical ability to the rear. (I always prefer musicians with the technical ability to appreciate that less is often better).

With a new album out (four tracks - what else would you expect!) they will probably be subject to closer investigation by these ears.

Headline act for the evening was the Aberdeen-based Pallas. The band made a bit of a splash in the early 1980's but whilst aware of them I never heard during this period. Reconvening in the mid-90's the band have made a series of fine albums, most notably The Cross And The Crucible which was my entry point into their world.

Since then, I've heard their 1980's albums and would suggest that they are a much better band now. Not least, because the music is shorn of some of the 1980's production values which are evident on both The Sentinel and The Wedge which, at least in retrospect, does nothing to enhance the music.

Original singer Euan Lowson left the band after The Sentinel - a powerful singer who also seemed to suggest that it was necessary for prog bands of that era to be fronted by a psychotic Scotsman - he was replaced by the diminutive Alan Reed who brought a very different style of voice to the band. That line-up remains intact to this day and they present a very powerful show that would easily transfer to a larger stage.

The performance included three new songs from their forthcoming album (written but yet to be recorded) which suggests that their fine run of form is likely to be maintained. The set featured recent material more strongly but still found room for some earlier material, including Euan Lowson featuring on a couple of songs.

It's probably usual to regret how a band of such obvious quality aren't able to reach a wider audience. However, the balance is that I suspect is that the quality of what they do is also a result of the band not being the be-all and end-all of their lives. The band have "serious" jobs which means that whilst their musical adventures have to be secondary - but that could well be the secret ingredient that makes what they produce when they are able to play all the better for it. And for that we should be grateful.