SKAM/Pyroclast/Jeanice Lee - Bannerman's, Edinburgh 2nd August 2025
Reviewed by Richie Adams • 5 August 2025
Saturday was a great day weatherwise and when Graham and I got dropped off outside the Peartree bar on Edinburgh’s southside we heard sweet, sweet music. We followed the sound and took up position in the pubs beer garden, drink in hand to listen to a double act called The Kings Ransom. They were really good, playing on a big stage in front of a jam-packed audience which must have numbered around 250 and who were loving it. Now, here is why I mention it, as they got to the end of their set the band asked for tips, they were not getting paid. They were performing to 250 folk and bringing people into a packed bar and venue and were receiving nothing for it. This is one of the reasons the music industry is toiling. Musicians deserve to be paid, particularly when they are generating income for others.
So, after an overpriced beer and kebab in the heart of the Edinburgh Festival, we hit the relative tranquillity of Bannerman’s. It’s such a pity more festival goers don’t find their way to this rock and roll den, many would love it.
Every band was on a bit earlier than advertised and so, unfortunately, we missed Jeanice Lee, but heard some really good things about her set. Next time.
Pyroclast were up next. They gave us thirty minutes of no-nonsense metal. They wore their influences on their sleeves - Maiden and Priest were shining through. These guys boast two guitarists, Baz and Chris. The each took their turn with the face-rippers and supported each other well when the other was soloing. Mark kept a solid drum rhythm at the back, whilst bass man Liam, well, he was all over the stage and up and down the neck of his four string throughout the set, I really enjoyed his performance. Markuz is the guy at the front. He has a rare set of pipes and a good range that suits the operatic rock these guys produce. I really enjoyed Pyroclast, the sound was big and I just felt a warm, metal hug engulf me after the madness of the Festival Fringe.
So, to the main event. Saturday was the first of two nights SKAM were playing in Edinburgh. They were in town last year, but the gig was cancelled at short notice. It was great to see them back.
Now, SKAM are one of these bands that surprises me, I am always surprised they are not further up the festival bills and playing to bigger audiences. Their riffs are ripping, their songs cracking and, well, they are also three really decent guys who deserve a bit of a break.
SKAM were also one of the bands who grabbed lockdown and used it as a creative space. They did regular Facebook gigs and provided lots of updates. Graham was a keen watcher and, like for so many, SKAM shows were one of his highlights during those most bleak of times.
On arrival the band kicked off with “Green Eyes” from their 2021 EP, Intra and a cracking start it was too. Next up “Iron Cross” their 2017 face bender and my personal favourite. “Fading Before the Sun” from the same 2017 long player – The Amazing Memoires of Geoffrey Goddard - was next then “The Wire” from Peacemaker, the bands 2014 album.
Singer/guitarist Steve Hill let us know that they would be playing some older tracks and lesser gigged songs and that was a really good thing. It was also a reminder that this, still young band from Leicestershire, have already released six albums and, in this reviewers opinion, everyone is a banger.
On with the show, “Weapon”, “New Dawn” and “Fate of Souls” were next up and kept the heavy vibe alive.
It's fair to say, I love a three piece, I am never sure how much more you need, and, on tonight’s evidence, that was quite enough to keep the joint jumping. Steve Hill led his amigos well. Steve’s brother Neal kept time on the see through drum kit and, Matt Gilmour and his ever changing bass face, kept the low end sparking. As Graham said, ‘the best three-piece rock band in the UK, bar none’. I think he was spot on.
The night came to a close with a bit of a mash up of Who and Rush numbers as well as a chorus of “Keep on Rocking in the Free World”. That is quickly becoming a staple for live bands with a conscious in these troubled times. It was great to hear it played and I appreciated the sentiment behind it.
It was over too soon. I was gutted I couldn’t make the Sunday show too; I am sure it would have been a cracker. However, I was delighted to get to see one of the UK’s best rock bands in Bannerman’s. I hope they will be back in Scotland again soon and, if there is any justice, they will be playing a far bigger venue.
Keep on rocking in the free world indeed.