Reviews

Master of Imperfection Launch Night

BILLED as a gig to launch the new Quails album 'Master of Imperfection', it ended up as a celebration of a band on the verge of something big.

Teignmouth's Quails have come a long way from playing their first pubs, carnivals and regattas, and the rewards are surely just around the corner.

They are no strangers to the big stage now, having supported Muse at Teignmouth and played to big festival crowds in the UK and Europe.

But there was a real sense at the Riviera Centre that this is a band ready to take the big step to headline status in their own right.

From the moment they came on stage to the final encore more than an hour later, they kept a packed 1,000-strong crowd dancing and shouting for their favourite songs.

Material from the new album was well received, particularly 'Games With The Devil', 'Princess' and current single 'Argentina'.

And there was also plenty of room for old favourites from the first Quails album, 'I've Heard It's All Rumours'.

But the best reception was saved for the show-closing number 'Fever', an outstanding song that will be the second single from the new album.

The pace never flagged throughout the set, and bass player Sam Banks and drummer Chris Prentice proved not just a great rhythm section but also suppliers of soaring harmonies.

Guitarist Max Armstrong was on top form, and if a band stands or falls on the quality of its front man, The Quails should have nothing to fear.

Dan Steer was in ebullient form, an engaging rabble-rouser with a fine voice and a skilful touch on guitar and keyboards.

The Quails now head off on a month-long tour to promote the new album, followed by a summer on the festival circuit with an appearance at Glastonbury the highlight.

There is a lot riding on this summer for them, but with the cheers of the Torquay crowd still ringing in their ears, they proved themselves to be well prepared to move up to the next level.

Support bands The Iconyx and Redtrack did a fine job of warming up the crowd, and Brighton band Two Spot Gobi took the slot immediately before the Quails.

It's not often you see a cello on stage, but Two Spot Gobi's quirky songs made the most of the unusual sound, and the audience warmed to them quickly.

A word, too, for the impressive sound and light system, which did a lot to make it a memorable night at a venue which really should host more events like this.

Guy Henderson - The Herald Express
See the original review here.

Master of Imperfection

"I haven't been this excited by a new band in years. This album is dynamite"
Simon Honywill, Head of Music Production Pyramid Stage

"The album, due out on May 31, showcases soaring melody lines and full-fat riffage, driven by a rhythm section as tight and well-defined as the shell on a certain small bird's egg. Brandishing an epic new sound, more deep, dark and intense than before, it is, however, not without lighter sensitive moments — plenty of well-established bands could learn a thing or two from the Quails' masterful use of dynamics and their dramatic ability to build from a whisper to a mighty roar.

It's quite a step up from the charming quirky collection of indie songs that made up their 2009 debut offering I've Heard It's All Rumours."
Plymouth Herald 23 April 2010

"Their debut offering last year – I've Heard It's All Rumours – was impressive enough to put them on the national industry radar and win support slots with Muse.

Their follow up album, Master of Imperfection is a strong and confident contemporary indie rock collection, the album was recorded in the quirky Sawmills Studio on the banks of the River Fowey with engineer Tom Joyce and produced by sound guru Simon Honywill, who masterminds the output from the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury. He describes the new opus as "absolute dynamite".

There's a plethora of meaty underlying influences evident from the off – from the Killers to the Kooks, The Darkness to Queen and even echoes of Pink Floyd. But there remains a distinctive voice that is simply The Quails. Darker, deeper and more sophisticated, it still maintains the poppy catchiness of the first album."
Western Morning News 23 April 2010

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I've Heard It's All Rumours

“The first time I saw this Indie rocking five-piece live, they blew all the other bands clean off the stage; tight, professional and oozing with energy, The Quails are the real deal. ‘I’ve Heard it’s all Rumours’ is the band’s debut album and it’s a 9-track indie gem bursting with anthems destined to charm the crowds at festivals and stadiums the world over.’ - The Fly Magazine April 2009

"I'll cut to the chase... Marvellous, Fantastic, Sooper Dooper! 'I've Heard it's All Rumours' is by far one of the best examples of how to put your first album together. Nine tracks of belting anthems that put to shame many albums selling millions. Killers? Kaiser Chiefs? Behave... The Quails hold the answer to what makes a great Indie scene. Unlimited energy, intelligent songs and oodles of charm. Go hear this live before you're paying through the nose to see this band at Wembley" - Go To Magazine.