Wigan’s ‘Bigfoot’ were one of the bands in the last few years that I was sure stood a good chance of making it, when I spoke to them in October 2017 the album was just out on Frontiers, dates were lined up and things seemed grand. In February this year they split – 5 years, 2 EP’s and one album into their career, after losing original vocalist Antony ‘Ant’ Ellis in May last year.
This is the first recording I’ve heard from any of the former members and let’s just say that guitarist Sam Millar’s debut EP sounds nothing at all like Bigfoot, indeed I’m not even sure I’d call it predominantly Rock, certainly not Hard Rock in the style of his former band. Anyhow, let’s dig in…
‘Eyes’ that opens is possibly the most ‘Rock’ song here in that it starts with a riff and dances into light Melodic Rock territory like a stripped down early Bon Jovi or a light Melodic rocker in the style of someone like Danger Danger or Nelson. It’s a great song and sounds like a demo for maybe bigger things.
‘Cyber Girl’ that follows is even lighter fare, a gentle ballad in the singer-songwriter vein with light and breezy understated instrumentation that is lush and melodic and has a sound tat wouldn’t have seen it out of place on 70’s AOR radio. After that surprise ‘Let Me Yet’ is another anachronism (not that there’s anything wrong with that) that has a bit of bounce and tat same AOR feel. It even comes with whistling and it actually draws you in nicely before it lays on some sublime guitar.
It’s ‘Lost in Translation’ tough that really convinces you this new sound is viable, coming across like those lilting 80’s ballads we all use to love to me it sounds like Warrant and with the leaner production doesn’t sound dated here. We close the EP with ‘Strangers’ which in a way is the most ‘realised’ song here, adding a Pop production to the radio Rock song that so many seem to be doing at the moment. I can see the point and again its something that can’t hurt throwing into the mix.
I love the guitar on this EP, used as it is to create emotion and melody, this EP may be far removed from Bigfoot but for those that love the lighter shade of Rock this is simply five great songs, more than enough to build upon.
