A
regular event on the local music calendar, apparently, this one, although it’s
my first time of attending... Basically, the format is simple; 12 local bands
each get 2 songs, both cover versions, either to evoke the Christmas spirit,
try out something new, or play a favourite or even unfamiliar number in their
own style. All well and good, but what attracted me up to it was Tim's band The
Shudders being present on tonight’s bill and promising a couple of intriguing
covers…
So I was up for that, heading off up The Vic after
Rich got back from swimming, and hitting the venue at 9, thereby unfortunately
missing Shudders vocalist Danny’s girlfriend Ellen’s band The Rumour Shed, on first at 8.30 tonight. I’d been meaning to catch them
“live” for a while - maybe in 2014? Bumped into Tim and Trace in the bar for a
chat, thereby missing young band THE DEBUTS, on in the already very busy back
room. I could make out their second number - a rambunctious “Three Lions”, but
missed their opener, which was apparently a good reading of The Smiths’
“Bigmouth Strikes Again”! D’oh! I eventually wandered in at the end of DEAD
ROYALTIES’ noisy finale, but was in place for THE BLOWBACKS, on at 10.
Featuring Tim’s former 101 colleague Matt on drums, they turned their opener,
Taylor Swift’s girl pop agenda-setter and one of Kasey’s favourite songs “We
Are Never Never Never Getting Back Together” into a drawn-out alt.slacker
laze-fest a la Promise Ring, then followed with an immense, stomping version of
“Addicted To Love” which was more akin to Ciccone Youth than Robert Palmer.
Impressive.
THE SHUDDERS were next up; by now I’d bumped into
Stuart Gould, Ben Warr and entourage, and was happy to fill Ben in on what was
next up, although Stuart didn’t want to know! Sure enough, Tim and crew opened
with a beefy, grunge-tastic version of Smashing Pumpkins’ finest hour, “Cherub
Rock”, apparently a rehearsal favourite of theirs and featuring some
uncharacteristic strident vocals from Danny, which they totally nailed.
Tremendous stuff. Follow-up, Phil Oakey And Georgio Moroder's 80’s synth-pop
anthem “Together In Electric Dreams” was less rehearsed, a little haphazard and
understated, yet ironically more akin to The Shudders’ own more thoughtful,
introverted material. I suggested to Tim afterwards that they should crank up
the noise more often, given how well they delivered “Cherub Rock”; he promised
their new material is more upfront. I’ll hold you to that, Tim!
Next up were BRITISH HARLEM, another young band who
evidently had been rifling through their grandparents’ record collections, let
alone their parents’ stuff, as they delivered crowd-pleasing, modish,
push’n’shove versions of “Suspicious Minds” and “Can't Take My Eyes Off You”
which went down very well, the young vocalist igniting the crowd with a
performance full of nervous tension and energy. However I was much more
impressed with the subsequent NUDY BRONQUE; a young trio featuring a vocalist
who reminded both Stuart and myself (at the same time!) of a young Brett
Anderson, their covers of Cornershop’s “Brimful Of Asha” and an excellent
reading of Gomez’ “Whipping Piccadilly” (for me the best thing on the menu
tonight) were thrilling, glammy, riff-tastic noisefests, and made me want to
check out their original material. Which I suppose is the whole point of this,
really!
Took a wander to the back end of the venue as I
wasn’t really impressed with SUPER SQUARECLOUD and their sparse,
saucepan-bashing r’n’b numbers; then closers THE COSTELLOS took an absolute age
to tune up (which was totally not the point: with the backline set up
beforehand, bands literally were supposed to just bring their guitars, plug in
and play...) then started up some unimpressive reggae ska stuff, which made me
realise it was 1/4 to 12 and waaaay past this old chap’s bedtime. So off I
went, giving Tim and Trace, plus fellow Shudder Liam, a lift home first. A very
fine night, showcasing some impressive local bands, and hopefully not the last
time I check out this annual local event. As for Band Of The Day; sorry Tim,
but much as I loved “Cherub Rock”, I'm going to give that to Nudy Bronque!
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