CAGED hail from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne and recorded this three-track demo EP at a studio with the immortal name of The Lock Up at Byker in their home city.
However, even if 'The Lock Up' makes you think of Arthur Daley, then you'll be pleased to hear there's nothing dodgy about Caged themselves as these three tracks are competently played, tight and well-constructed punk-pop songs, with fine, throat-scouring vocals from guitarist Bob Douglass.
"Make It" itself kicks us off and it's a goodie, with nice melodic bass playing from Adam Henzell bouncing off Douglass's wall-of-sound rhythm playing and statement of independence lyrics all reminding of lost UK heroes like Mega City Four and their way of marrying great, snappy tunes and slightly wistful lyrical concerns.
Decent start, though while "Run To You" - hold the Garlic and crucifixes - thankfully isn't the Bryan Adams one, it's a little formulaic and obvious and a paler take of the formula that produced "Make It." OK, but a tad forgettable.
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Final track, "New Day," however, is arguably the best thing here. Benefitting from a slower, tricksier musical backdrop, it's got real mellow presence, though it - inevitably - puts the boot in come the smouldering, harmony-led chorus. Nonetheless, it shows Caged are more than capable of stretching out, and Bob's nifty, James Dean Bradfield-style guitar solo is undeniably impressive and found your reviewer nodding approvingly.
"Make It" is a good enough debut from a band who intrinsically understand power pop and bleeding harmonies. As yet, they're still slightly in thrall to their influences, but there's enough quality here to suggest development is in hand. Stay tuned and hang around.
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