LIVE: Scars On 45 @ The Linda, 5/14/12

Review and photographs by Andrew Gregory

Prior to playing their opening slot for Ingrid Michaelson at The Egg, up-and-coming British pop-rock band Scars On 45 made a stop at The linda in Albany, treating a select crowd of WEXT-FM listeners to an intimate, five-song mini-concert, on-stage interview session and a meet ‘n’ greet opportunity with the band last Monday afternoon.

You may not recognize Scars On 45 by name, but you might by their music. They are one of many bands that have gotten their big break by having songs placed during key emotional scenes in popular TV shows. Their break came just as they were about to call it quits, when they were informed that “Beauty’s Running Wild” was to be featured in an episode of “CSI: New York.” The money earned from that placement led to continued recordings and song placements, being signed to Chop Shop/Atlantic Records and the release of their self-titled debut album last month – a super confection of 10 well-crafted, romantic pop songs with lyrical content, harmonies and melodies that stick in your head for hours after your first listen.

Gathering just before a proper civilized tea time at The Linda in Albany, band members Danny Bemrose (lead vocals, acoustic guitar), Aimee Driver (vocals), Stuart Nichols (bass), David “Nova” Nowakowski (keyboards) and Chris Durling (drums) were gracious and funny answering questions between songs by one of the hardest working and nicest guys in local radio, WEXT’s Chris Wienk. We got an overview of the band’s history, some song back-stories, and were cheekily informed that as a British band touring the states, they have realized that good curry and chocolate are near impossible to find.

Scars On 45 began with the piano driven “Beauty’s Running Wild,” followed by “Heart On Fire,” a lover’s declaration of commitment that has been featured to promote ABC-TV’s “Grey’s Anatomy.” “Loudest Alarm,” a bonus track from the album, and the pleading “Don’t Say” came before the band closed out with last summer’s Top 5 hit single, “Give Me Something.” With melancholy harmonies and a storyline of heartbreak, the song is a reminder to those who suffer the painful scars of finding and then losing the love of a soul mate that there may be hope.

Afterwards, the quintet took time for pictures and autographs, clearly enjoying not so much their growing fame but the personal connection it has afforded to meet their fans.

Scars On 45 tour of the States ends in early August.