LIVE FROM THE PIT: Paleface Swiss, Static Dress and Stick To Your Guns

Tucked away in an old industrial complex on Glasgow’s West End, SWG3 stands as one of the city's most iconic live music hubs. The location and biting cold did little to deter a snaking sea of belt chains and black clothing from flooding in to catch a lineup not to be missed. The contrast outside was striking, with a subdued folk show unfolding in the TV Studio, while anticipation for something heavier was brewing in Galvanizers. Californian metalcore unit STICK TO YOUR GUNS and fast-rising post-hardcore outfit STATIC DRESS promised to spend the first half of the evening paving the way for deathcore titans PALEFACE SWISS to celebrate their newest album, CURSED, and to deliver a performance to remember.

With a lineup this strong, it's not surprising that much of the 1250-capacity room was packed out before the first opener even considered hitting the stage. Hailing from Orange County, STICK TO YOUR GUNS burst into action with an explosive vitality, launching straight into Diamond, the title track of their 2012 record. Strobing lights synced tightly with frontman Jesse Barnett's sharp screams, immediately crafting a visceral, all-encompassing experience. Despite the short set, the band’s relentless energy proved to be infectious, producing thirty minutes of raging mosh pits and pure metalcore bliss. During Invisible Rain, BARNETT demanded the crowd split in two, attempting to ignite a wall of death for the breakdown. However, with such a short warning, the moment did not reach its full potential. 

Heading into Spineless, they dedicated the song to fellow bill-mates STATIC DRESS, which was a far warmer gesture than the title suggests. A lone Gandalf costume in the pit prompted an iconic moment of comedy when BARNETT demanded the crowd two-step, with many audience members prompting to record the moment rather than the band. They later also dedicated Against Them All to headliner PALEFACE SWISS, honouring their long-standing friendship. They explosively finished with Nobody, the intense, powerful momentum they fostered continuing.

The stage design left little room for doubt that Leeds post-hardcore unit STATIC DRESS were next. Scattered with early 2000s TVs, the set signalled the band's nostalgic aesthetic. After the TV’s flickered with static, they meandered onstage dressed to mirror the era, most notably frontman OLLI APPLEYARD’s belt featuring the early 2000’s DVD logo. They delved directly into face. from early in their discography. As the set progressed through fan-favourites such as Push rope and Death To The Overground, APPLEYARD’s repeated calls to ask the crowd to jump were gradually met with diminishing enthusiasm. CDP was dedicated to headliners PALEFACE SWISS, but they took a brief moment to acknowledge STICK TO YOUR GUNS. APPLEYARD excitedly said that “They’ve made this whole scene a better fucking environment… The fact that we’re billed after them, I’ll never fucking get over.” 

Following the chaos, the band briefly shifted gears, with the smoking lounge redux version of such.a.shame. This significantly slowed the pace, and following it with connor felt abrupt. They closed with the powerful crying, demanding “fifty fucking bodies over the barrier”. In a unique moment of crowd-control, APPLEYARD began counting down mid-song. After calling out, “We need twenty more!”, the room was successfully reinvigorated, earning a raucous round of applause as the set came to a close.

The room filled with the ominous sound of ticking clocks as strobing lights cut through the haze, anticipation crackling throughout. As PALEFACE SWISS stormed the stage, they detonated into I Am A Cursed One, instantly igniting the pit and the crowd roaring. The room intensified with Hatred, pushing the room deeper into chaos. Much of the set was a journey throughout CURSED, however, long-time fans were also rewarded. Before diving into The Rats, frontman MARC ZELLWEGER teased, “We never play our older stuff… so you have to prove it's what you want or we’ll never do this again.” This ultimatum worked, with the most ferocious pit of the night bursting at the seams. 

During Let Me Sleep, ZELLWEGER commanded the crowd to drop to the floor, saying, “You know what to do when the beat drops.” This resulted in a rare and jaw-dropping moment where not a single person was standing, much to the clear amusement of the security staff. This moment was followed by an unplugged, acoustic version of River of Sorrows with longtime friend of the band RON DERIS; a much-needed moment of calmness. This calm was fleeting, as the full production gradually thundered back in. Energy surged once again, as the members of STICK TO YOUR GUNS rejoined the stage for Instrument of War.

Coming to the end of the set, PALEFACE SWISS momentarily left the stage. Almost immediately, ZELLWEGER jumped back on and joked, “We’ll never do that rockstar shit,” before promising to play their biggest song. The pit never let up during Please End Me, and as the final notes rang, a satisfying wall of death accompanied. It was the perfect conclusion to an exceptional lineup and proof that PALEFACE SWISS have not even begun.

Words: Chloe Sodeau

Photos: Jack Norris