[1-12-2002] Candycaine
Drawing on influences as varied as Deftones, Smashing Pumpkins, Fuel 238, and Soundgarden, Recent comparisons have been made to Vex Red and Hell is For Heroes. Candycaine paint a diverse and powerful picture.

Since hitting the stage their sound has progressed as they have been through a few line-up changes, finally finding the right mix in may last year. Since then they have focused their attention towards gigging and crafting their songs.

From the industrial mechanics of Makita and the anthmic poundings of Trailer Park Princess right through to the fragile beauty evident in Happy, I swear Candycaine seem able to draw you into their world of melodically laden guitar riffs and emotive vocals.

Firm believers in the old school ethic that good songs and hard work pay off, they slice their way through explosive live shows, as touching as they are powerful. They have built-up a fierce local following, from the release of their first e.p. Nothings ever quite enough.

Their latest recording All my friends are strangers is a perfect example of their workmanship, combining pogo friendly wedges of modern rock, interwoven by not so much brooding but reflective vocals. Faultless is the sound of a band with many dark layers but never surrendering to sentimentality. Written all over has verses well complemented by guitars that firmly stamp the chorus straight into the back of your head. Capped off with a trademark riff this song marries accessibility and passion in equal measure. The second the chorus of The Callow slams in, you can feel the ingrained frustrations that stem from the suppressive reins of conformity. Blending the sounds of Incubus and the foo fighters, Wires & Soul is both powerful and reflective, culminating with a huge slab of Pumkin-esk guitars punctuated with urgent vocals.

Candycaine are an original slice of powerful melodic rock that will stick in your mind long after the feed back has died.