Splendid Dead

“[Not] the worst live act we have ever witnessed” Optimo (Espacio)

The Black Hearts EP review from The List (Issue 560, Oct 5th, 2006)

“…Much more interesting is the unholy racket of Glasgow foursome Vancouver Deluxe whose “The Black Hearts EP” (3/5) comes across like the sick mongrel offspring of Ministry and Sigue Sigue Sputnik. Annoying, but different, and therefore good.” (Doug Johnstone)

Black Hearts EP review from The Organ (Organ 176, Sep 1st, 2006)

“They claim to be goth cowboys on rave horses and indeed they could well be. They’ve got drum machines and remedial electronics and a hint or two of Southern Death Cult Stooges and it’s all alternative goth like a million things we heard in 1991 opening for Balaam And The Angel or The Screaming Marionettes down the Marquee. You can decide if that is a good thing or not. House Of Dolls would have loved them, Creaming Jesus would have taken them out on tour and stolen all their beer, they sound like they’re fuelled up with liquid MDMA and a crazyhead or two and here’s the link, off you go if you feel you need to. They’re from Glasgow and the CD came in a red cover with skeletons on the front.”

Petty Vendetta @ Glasgow Barfly 30/07/06 (Scottish Music Network)

“Marching onstage at 11:15pm,  just as the Barfly was beginning to fill up, was the charismatic Vancouver Deluxe – and they had everyone’s attention from the off. This band just sound evil – from the pulsing, incessant grooves and dirty, sleazy riffs to the darkly crooned vocals, theirs is a sound that mixes up the best of electro, punk and metal before filtering it through their own twisted sensibilities. Oozing confidence and black-hearted humour, with singer Craig McClure striding off the stage to charm the front few rows, plant kisses and drink other people’s drinks, they display a unity that many bands aim for but few attain – looking, and more importantly sounding, like they belong in a band together. They are currently at work in the recording studio, and the smart money says that the fruits of their labours will be downright scary – in the best way you can imagine.” (Gareth Hunter)

Sub City Radio Party @ Sub Club (Evening Times Times Out, Mar 23rd, 2006)

“The took to the stage with a confidence not often found with new young bands. With the front man almost teetering on the edge of the stage as he belted out the tunes, it helped raise the energy levels further in the Sub Club.” (Stewart Dalley)

Demo review from The List (May 12th, 2005)

“…Then there’s the ‘Home Demos’ of Vancouver Deluxe (3/5), eight energetic, intense, visceral endeavours.” (Allan Radclife)

Glasgow Barfly 12/03/05 (Noise Magazine, Issue 5, March 24, 2005)

“A Congolese proverb says that a pretty face and fine clothes do not necessarily make for good character. Vancouver Deluxe’s image is hard to fault: their bassist is stripped to the waist, doused in glitter, seemingly more interested in posing with his instrument than playing it, and the singer with a lovely white tie cranes over the crowd, his arrogant mien complimented by a fine array of rock-star gesticulations. The music however lacks the pizzazz of the boys’ get-up, and comes across as a sort of electro Stooges with leaden programmed drums and various dissonant squalls. Sometimes progressive, but mostly Gallagher-esque in their atavistic urges, Vancouver Deluxe are compelling performers whose music can’t quite keep up with their look.” (Jasper Hamill)