James and the Cold Gun is a name that seemed to suddenly seemed to be popping up everywhere on the British music scene by the end of last year. Despite only existing as a band for a mere two years, relentless touring around the UK has allowed James Joseph and James Bliss to quickly build up a name for themselves as an act to watch on the alternative music scene; despite humbly billing themselves merely as an alternative rock band from South Wales with a DIY punk ethos. Despite the hectic touring schedule, the two-piece – in which, interestingly enough, both members play solely guitar and vocals – are ready to present the world with their debut EP release, False Start.
‘Seven’ opens up the EP with a fist-bumping buildup into electrically energetic rock and roll, with heavy slapping bass and fuzzed up guitar sounds reminiscent of Queens of the Stone Age, one of the band’s cited influences, though influences from the likes of Velvet Revolver and the ever feral Gallows are also noticeable in both the vocal delivery and guitar accompaniment. The duo have their 21st Century rock sound nailed, that much is immediately clear, and for the first track of a debut EP, it is good that it immediately leaves the listener wanting more.
The hard and fast energy continues throughout lead single ‘It’s Mutual’ and all the way through to the closure of the album; not since Fever 333 burst onto the scene half a decade ago has a debut EP presented such an unrelenting rock and roll tour de force whilst still clocking in at under twenty minutes. For sure certainty, James and the Cold Gun are an act that we – and probably everyone else in the country – will be hearing more from in the future.