If you like American style grunge-y bands like Nickleback, then maybe, just maybe, you might like Apache Rose. They are full of riffs and pure grunge stodge that could rock a live venue to its foundations.

Music Inspired by the Film......

Apache Rose are named after a Roy Rogers film made shortly after they invented horses. Apart from the name, there seems to be little in common between the band and the movie, unless, of course, the film's main theme is one of adolescent angst.

Musically, the eponymous CD finds its roots in early nineties indie/alternative genres. A couple of the introductions wouldn't sound out of place on Generation Terrorists (although the rest of the tune would) and there is more than a nod to Nirvana (Track Three, "Elysium" is named after the place blessed people go to in death according to Greek Mythology. So somebody's been using their Thesaurus!).

I Don't Want To Share Your Misery:

However, it is in the lyrics that Apache Rose let themselves down. The non-sequitur, mixed metaphor ridden opening lyric of the opening track ("Black Friday") is as good an example as any:

Bitten by the black snake burning a pathway to your door

She is a deadly siren that pulls you to the floor

Snakes don't burn pathways and sirens don't pull people to the floor.

Elsewhere, lyrics are made up of clichés ('I just wanna tear your wall down'), twisted clichés ('Sliver lining of the cloud it shines on you today'), and lines stolen from other bands ('Come back to what you know'), leaving a lot of Apache Rose's lyrical output to be desired.

Danger Ahead:

It is, therefore, perhaps slightly dangerous for Matt Williams (bass and vocals) to sing lines like "tired and overcome", "uninspired and dumb" or to have a song called "Understandard". That is just asking for trouble.

This is, of course, a pity. I cannot help but feel that Apache Rose will be a lot better live where people, ambiance and the sense of a night out combine to make the atmosphere a little more exciting than listening to a CD at home at seven o'clock in the evening.

The Good Will Out:

Apache Rose are not a great band. But neither are they truly terrible. As they work on their songs, we may yet see great things. In the meantime, seeing them live may not be such a bad thing.

19/01/04 - First published on www.bbc.co.uk/gloucestershire