Gilla Band
El Hardwick
Gilla Band is a post-punk band from Dublin whose 2015 album Holding Hands with Jamie was an early indicator for the wave of similar bands that emerged in recent years. Their take on the genre tends to be a much harsher and more aggressive sound. They tend to employ the loud/quiet/loud dynamics, except their "quiet" portion is not necessarily sweet or calm (see Pixies, Nirvana, respectively), but rather a temporary drop in intensity, or more often, just tension building up for the next sonic explosion. Singer Dara Kiely has the ability to flip back and forth between a resigned, almost bored tone and manic shrieks at a moment's notice. The guitar, drums, and bass are also fully committed to abrasiveness and dissonance. This is in not easy listening by any stretch, but once the ears get acclimated, they sound powerful, amazing, and highly rewarding.
