the calicos

Americana – or should we say Antwerpicana? Whatever the case may be, the Antwerp sextet that calls itself The Calicos – in a previous life Matt Watts’s backing band – persuaded the jury of Humo’s Rock Rally with songs firmly rooted in the tradition of Neil Young, Wilco, The Eagles and Ryan Adams, pedal steel and all. The Calicos have joined a select group of illustrious winners such as Evil Superstars, Novastar, Goose and Whispering Sons. The press core couldn’t think of enough superlatives to describe The Calicos’ performance. They praised the seamless interplay between the band and the voice of Quinten Vermaelen as well as the scintillating songs which, according to one journalist, “invited the setting sun into the venue”. One of his colleagues saw a promising future for The Calicos, pointing out their potential “to pupate into an alternative pop group to bridge the generations”. Some bands might start to believe their own press but not The Calicos, they’re keeping feet on the ground. A full-length debut is not in the cards just yet. They’re waiting for the right time and won’t be rushed. These guys won’t settle for anything less than brilliant. Here are just a few reactions to their victory in Humo’s Rock Rally 2018: ‘Vocalist Quinten Vermaelen is vaguely reminiscent of Novastar’s Joost Zweegers but the standout feature is the seamless interplay between the sextet.’ Knack Focus ‘Songs like 'Runaway Kid' and 'Driftwood' invited the setting sun into the venue: they were the most persistent earworms of the evening.’ De Standaard ‘If these Antwerp sons don’t get bogged down in the specificities of the Americana genre, they have the potential to appeal to a wide audience and may pupate into an alternative pop group to bridge the generations.’ De Morgen