Dead Men Walking EP April 08
Review by Hannah Marques - Muso's Guide
Last weekend I was in Bannerman's bar in Edinburgh after having reviewed a different band on that night, when I had the opportunity to talk to one of the members of the Back Pocket Prophet.
The band was founded in 2003 near Oxford (UK). The three piece have been playing in several places in and out of the UK, and are also working on their second demo. This conversation went on for a while before Vic Barton (bass guitar) gave me a copy of their first EP, released in March 2007.
The demo - with four songs - has a good quality; they are well written tracks and a vibrant melody. But what really called my attention was the variation between the songs. In a way, I was not able to classify their work. I could tell they are a metal band with some influences of the 80s, but I really couldn't find a specific metal style.
On the first song, 'S.O.L.I.D', the guitar reminded me a bit of Deep Purple. Then the second song made me think about My Dying Bride. Come on, Deep Purple and My Dying Bride?! Am I getting crazy? Possibly. The third track was heavier, maybe some kind of melodic-death metal. This was completely transformed in Prodigal the last song, which seemed to come back to the 80s.
I am not an specialist and maybe I'm completely wrong. However the way the demo was presented - full of surprises - made me want to know more and more about the Back Pocket Prophet. And I'm sure next time I'm at a gig I won't miss a show, so I can make sure I won't miss the opportunity to watch competent bands like the one in this review.
This is definitely a demo I would recommend. Perhaps not for fans of classic rock but certainly for those who like good heavy music.
Easter Metal Mosh, Lisburn NI, 28 March 08
Review by P-Lo - Sanctury NI
Then to the main act Back Pocket Prophet appearing in N.Ireland for the first time after being invited by Sanctuary NI way back in November last year. The band opened with Transposition, one of their new songs and then straight into One Way Out. The crowd where really getting into the bands straight ahead fusion of hard rock, classic thrash metal and the usual healthy dose of Back Pocket Prophet fun!!! During the next song Vic Barton (bass) decided to join the crowd for some serious head banging all this while still cranking out the bass lines. This was followed by an awesome drum solo from Tom Power who hit the kit with extreme passion. For a band making their first visit to Northern Ireland they where really playing as if it was a hometown gig. The crowd where moshing away like crazy and I am sure there was plenty of sore necks come the morning after (including my own!!) The band cranked out song after song with extreme tightness and Adam Gough's intricate solo's made the excited crowd gasping for more. The set came to an end with "We Stand As One" Vic Barton telling the audience that after the recent murder of Sophie Lancaster that all Christians should stand as one. The band then treated the crowd to an encore. If I was to sum up the night in one word it would be the title of Back Pocket Prophet's encore song - S.O.L.I.D.
Hope & Anchor, London, 5th February 08
Review by John - Neon Promotion
It's a four band metal extravaganza tonite and who better to kick things off than Back Pocket Prophet? The thrash metal trio have a hard, in yer face, no frills sound. Indeed the delivery can be quite punky with rattling snare and fast effective tunes. Guitar grunts out solid chordwork for the most part, while vocals rant and growl. It's an angry, fired up sound, delivered with much focus and plenty of metal riffage. Noticeably tighter and punchier than last time, these guys are an effective metal three piece.
Exeter Hall, Oxford, 4th October 07
Review by David Murphy - Oxford Bands
Likable. It's a positive adjective, to be sure, but not one that you'd really want associated with your metal band: it's more the sort of word you expect to be applied to a floppy-eared dog, or a backward farmhand. Be that as it may, Back Pocket Prophet's classic NWOBHM fuzz and thump is just the tonic to raise a smile and a warm glow. This – go on, let's say it - likable trio is so friendly and comfy, you see, even if it's also tight and loud, full of meaty riffs and nourishing marrowbone jelly.
Of course, we could sit here and tell you all about how Back Pocket Prophet's music was a big hairy cliché without too much in the realms of originality or adventurousness, but that would be to ignore the glaring fact that their set was foot tapping, head nodding, beer guzzling good fun, and that we'll deck anyone who says different (unless they're as big as the drummer of course). Furthermore, you've got to wonder why other metal bands don't dip into Christianity for their lyrical content, the New Testament is such a great source of heavy rock tropes: betrayal; sacrifice; rising from the dead; parties with unlimited free booze.
Hope & Anchor, London, 2nd Octber 07
Review by John - Neon Promotion
It's a brilliant metal line up from start to finish tonite - and at the start we have Back Pocket Prophet. This trio deliver an uncompromising, full on proper/thrash metal set that is always fresh and exciting. The songs are powered along by plenty of riffery from the singers guitar - and of course there's no shortage of speedy solos. Bass puts in some dark lines that work well with the often tribal sounding drums. If you like a decent bit of metal, look no further.
Greenbelt Fesival, Cheltenham, 25th August 07
Review by Thrive Magazine
Back Pocket Prophet... A bit of classic metal with an infusion of a drop or two of modern metal vocals ushered in the start of the Meltdown stage on Saturday. No doubt the crowd was poised and ready to see what new meat would be appearing this year and Back Pocket Prophet did what they could to meet expectations. I'm not sure that this music was suited to most of the youngsters tastes but the band did play as hard as an opening act can, receiving a fairly lethargic response in return. Perhaps they were put at a disadvantage to begin with, sound issues being worked out and all, but the few gathered at the front were all hands on deck, seemingly enjoying their hard rock flavour.
Greenbelt Fesival, Cheltenham, 25th August 07
Review by Greg Sammons - Cross Rhythms Radio
This is obviously a band who love their metal. Their referencing of other bands, their long hair and beards and (of course) their sound are unashamedly MET-AL! During the set, the band managed to bring in almost all of the changing sounds of metal through the last 20 years. What this does produce though, is a band that can sound rather dated and, despite their proficiency, is yet to find their sound. It's great that Back Pocket Prophet respect their musical heritage - but it's up to their/our generation to pass it on to the next and help it evolve. The singers' 'sounds-like-they're-gargling-gravel' sound is great. It's strong and luckily he can sing in other ways too. In fact I would argue that he needs to rely less on the growl even more. This is a band that feels like it's in its infancy but could well mature into a very savage and powerful beast.
Dead Men Walking EP June 07
Review by Nightshift magazine
Anyone who was there and not blinded by the Flashing Lights of Club Tropicana, will tell you that the 80s were as much about the rebirth of metal as they were fancy new synthesisers, and so here are Bicester's back Pocket Prophet, bringing a smile of recognition to Nightshift's resident old school metal expert as she reminisces about Armoured Saint. Leaning initially towards the more languid, gothic fringes of the rock beast BPP do come across as a bit poncy and overly-serious but as they pile on the pressure and up the volume and effects pedals they come into their own a bit more. They sound like they might dream of wearing bear skins, living in pagan cave communities and worshipping earth goddesses, but they can kick out a decent riff and roar and bellow with conviction.
The Jericho Tavern, Oxford 25th March 07
Review by SelectaSound
Back Pocket Prophet, or 'fat pocket profit' the name that the venue had put on the street board outside on the night, Lots of headbanging and hair swinging, they rocked the night.
Ace Cafe, London 7th October 06
Review by Viv - Get Ready to Rock
BACK POCKET PROPHET begin the evening, having travelled down from Oxfordshire for the evening. They were a good warm-up act with their brand of metal and the smallish crowd listen politely and there's applause after each song. It's not mind-blowingly brilliant but it's a decent start to the evening.