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 You
want to be underground, in a concrete bunker, on one of the
hottest days of the year. Bunker is misleading - with it's
white-washed walls, fairy-lights and wooden bar, the Borderline
reminds me of a restaurant in Tenerife. Suffice to say, it
was hot. Like HOT.Being
an idiot, I missed half of Lilygun's opening set. They set
the standard for the rest of the evening - no fucking around,
these were serious musicians doing what they do best. With
their rhythm section missing, the band had called in some
favours, but the last minute replacements didn't cut them
down.
Anna-Christina is a captivating presence, very much the core
of a band she writes as well as plays for. Playing the face,
she is polite, self-effacing; bordering on shy between songs.
"Moonlight" and closer "Diamonds" stood
out - beautiful, melodic, with just enough fireworks to get
my Canarian tapas bar jumping. I left, sweat-soaked, and my
neck resents me a little bit today. This is the London I love.
[Author:
Ryan 24th July 2008 - Borderline]
I somehow feel fortunate for wearing a blouse with switchblades
and guns print, as I am far from the most “alternatively
dressed”. Dress code: black. The sound of Lilygun, female
fronted rock, fills the venue, and I am struck by the penetrating
power of heavy bassy drum on one track, and an equally impressive
rocky guitar
section in single “Diamonds”.
[Author:
Sarah Rayner 24th July 2008 - Borderline]
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A genre defying act, Lilygun offer an indie take on grunge-metal.
Lilygun's
female singer is strident about songs and messages, tunes
punctuated regularly by accusing cries. Like the singer, the
rhythm section dwells on the dark side, with full hooky bass-buzzing
and stomping drums that crack, pump and rumble. But the sunshine
is not far away, as rasping thrash guitar gives way to frills
and jangles, delicately mournful picking, a shimmering waterfall
of strings.The
songs seem intensely personal and they're delivered with passion
to suit. "Give me my poison", "There were times
when all I wanted was some honesty", and "The many
other masks you leave behind". Not to mention the sweat-drenched
t-shirts you leave behind.The
Lilygun set is an impressively varied romp through distinctive
and individual songs. There are heavily strummed ballads,
angry punk belters, and juddering PJ Harvey blues-stomps that
pull-up refreshingly short. The last song is a tight popsicle,
complete with phaser fx and squealing climax. This is an array
of sounds you could use to create a new Skunk Anansie, Siouxsie
and the Banshees, Cure side-project The Glove, or a psychedelic
reinvention of Hole. Lilygun's music rains like a shower of
petals and bullets. Just like the snow in Summer.
[Author:
RF 17 August 2006 - Bull & Gate] |
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 Saturday
night in Kentish Town, and, as is traditional around these
parts, the back room of the Bull And Gate is full of an unrepentant
rock 'n' roll racket. To be a bit more precise, tonight it's
full of three different rock 'n' roll rackets, and the first
of these comes from Lilygun. Playing with a muso-ish confidence,
it's clear that here's a band which places top value on professionalism,
musicianship, and suchlike solid virtues. The vocalist, her
hair extensions aswirl, has an easygoing charm and a voice
as powerful as it is meticulously controlled, she can peel
a mean lick off a hollow-body electric too.
[Author: Uncle Nemesis October 2007 - Bull & Gate]
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I'm used to being surprised at Lilygun gigs. Either the lineup
has
changed since the last show, or the set has, or the style and
emphasis of the songs and delivery, or the singer has recently
survived a horrific ordeal, but what caught me out at the Bull
& Gate on the 7th December was the fact that I didn't hear
them start, and continued nattering to friends in the bar for
most of the first song.Wondering
if the Bull & Gate had installed sound-proof doors since
the last time I went, I lead my party hurridly in, only to find
Lilygun sitting around the front of the stage strumming their
way quietly through the final bars of their opening number.
There was no drummer. At first I assumed the drummer would be
joining them after the acoustic intro, but it didn't happen.
There was no drummer coming from anywhere on this night, and
having brought some people along with the promise of 'you must
see this band, you'll love it', I was a very concerned that
I had dragged them out to see only three-quarters of the band
doing their best to improvise.
Luckily, Lilygun did a very good job of hastily adapting the
arrangements of whichever songs they could, adapting admirably
under very difficult circumstances, to deliver impressive-sounding
renditions of both familiar and unfamiliar songs.I should say
that I'm not at all keen on 'unplugged' stuff. I like rock music
for a reason - three reasons actually, and those reasons are
guitar, bass and drums. On the whole, a genre of music designed
to be delivered through those instruments is not suited to being
deprived of the explosive rhythmic devices on which it rests.
Despite this, the quality of songwriting and instrumentation
was generally sufficient to entertain this hard-hearted old
critic, with Anna-Christina's excellent voice leading the line
admirably.I look forward to seeing the full product again in
the future - once a new drummer has been recruited. By a funny
coincidence, I once played in a band where the drummer failed
to turn up to a gig at the Bull & Gate. If I correctly recall
the story I heard, the Lilygun drummer decided to go for a meal
somewhere instead of honouring his obligations to the paying
customers.
All I can say is - if that's true then I hope he got food poisoning.
[Ashley
Dreher, Diner December 2006] |
 Lilyguns
sound has changed. I don’t mean radically in a different
direction or with new banjo solos but they just sound tighter
and musically as if they’ve stepped up a gear. It was
brighter and more together then previous gigs I’ve been
to in the past. Granted there’s been a year or so in there
and that’s not to say they didn’t sound very good
in the past. I must admit I tend to put a lot of credit to bands
that incorporate the drums and bass into their songs instead
of just using them to provide the backing. At this gig both
were exceptional. The guitar playing was immense and the singer
is a bright star. I really enjoyed listening and the rest of
the crowd did too, it had a great vibe. My only complaint was
they didn’t play ‘Mind & Soul’ but that’s
pretty minor considering!
[JM
Bravado International August 2006] |
Hi,
saw you guys play at The Dublin Castle and was totally blown
away by you. Every band member in your band is really strong
and I'm inlove with your singer! I really liked the forth song
(17 Times) Keep rockin'... you've got me hooked!
[Gavin
Howell 2005] |
Rockin' that singer! I'm her number one fan!!! (Be scared)!!!
[Jimmy
B 2005] |
 The
first thing that struck me about Lilygun's gig at The Metro
Club in April 2004 was how professional and together they sound
and look. They open up with a bang and it left you wondering
what kind of vibe these guys were going to bring. The singers
voice was soothing yet powerful at the same time and the guitarist
was playing loose and funky yet could equally rock when needed!
The drummer was in the back but still centre stage and raised
slightly so she was very much involved with the audience and
you could see and hear her powerful playing. The bass player
was spot on and kept everyone entertained with great playing
and the fact that you could tell he was really into the music
that was happening that night. The gig left me wanting to hear
more and to introduce more people to Lilygun's own brand of
rock action. The last thing I remember was a buzz about hearing
something new and watching a band that enjoys playing it.
[Jeremy
Moss, Sanctuary Records 2004] |
Lilygun lead and formed by the glamorous Anna-Christina play
the Bull & Gate. Think PJ Harvey, Fleetwood Mac, Belly and
the picture is half painted. Go see them play and allow the
band to paint the rest. We doubt you'll be disappointed.
[
Bull & Gate 2004] |
There should be more Lilly's than gun's in the world!!!
[Aaron,
Lazarus Bass player! 2004]
Very, very good!
[
Shane, Lazarus Singer 2004]
Really good band.
[Ash
2004]
Saw you guys play at The Bull & Gate
and you guys rockin. Can't wait to see you play again... peace
[Mel
2004]
Brilliant stuff.
[Takuma
2004]
Strong vocals and great guitars.
[David
2004] |
"It's
a November winters day and as the last dampened stranger enters
what was known as The King Head, Lilygun take to the stage.
It seems that this bands line up is ever changing but as they
begin to play you quickly realise, it's for the better. The
new bass player has a larger than life presence and it's clear
from very early on that he has the technical ability to match.
It seems the band has gone to a new level of both performance
and songwriting and their impressive set captures the attention
of everyone in the building, bar staff included! With every
song they play, comes a new atmosphere and emotion making them
unpredictable and mesmerizing as a live band.
This is a band to watch out for."
[Jay,
Silver Steels 2003] |
I really love the band's image.
[Linda
2003]
The
singer's cool.
[
Emma 2003] |
 "Lilygun
open the nite - and once again it is a pleasure to have them
play. Now two boys and two girls, the line up has changed once
more, and the band seems more focused than ever. They are producing
some really great little songs - proper rock stuff delivered
with real passion and energy, with crunchy guitar riffs and
a real strength to the songs. These girls (and guys) are definitely
a live act worth catching."
[John
Swaine, Neon Promotions 2002] |
You
are great!
[Patrick
2002] |
"...Next
up are Lilygun - with a new line up, the band are on great form
tonight, delivering brilliant rock/pop tunes along the lines
of early Bangles or perhaps Voice of the Beehive. The new guitarist
works hard, driving things along and filling the sound out,
and there is a genuine feeling of excitement in the bands performance
top melodic vocals ring out and this really is full on, frantic
fun all the way..."
[John
Swaine, Neon Promotions 2001] |
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