An
even dozen for enduring Boston blue-collar alt-rock legends "The
Tom", but first one for me for 7 years, since a Dingwalls show in support
of their previous CD “Skins” (gig 809, back in March 2011); of course Tom
mainman Bill Janovitz was the opener on the Boston ACLU show I flew over to
“The Hub” for, last March (gig 1,028), so I had the opportunity then to
apologise in advance for missing their then-forthcoming June 2017 UK date, as
it clashed with The Skids' Oxford gig. I was therefore not going to miss a
Fleece Tom gig, announced as part of a short UK tour promoting "Quiet And
Peace", their first album since that "Skins" CD, again 7 years
ago. The Tom at The Fleece... imagine that!
Unsurprisingly, I had a car load for this one, with Tim, Paul and Stuart (amazingly, a first-time Tom-boy tonight!) joining us for a rocking haunt down the M4; sadly Rach had to drop out earlier today as she was unwell, but as this was a sell-out, we swiftly sold her ticket to a grateful punter outside The Fleece (face value, of course...). Result! It was quiet early doors so we grabbed a bit of barrier, front and centre, before support Sunstack Jones came on at 8. After easing in with a slightly-delic, sway-along opener, they picked things up with the more upbeat, driving "Always Something Up", a buoyant, guitar-propelled blast underpinned by a refrain recalling The Monkees' excellent "Pleasant Valley Sunday". Subsequent numbers veered between occasionally countrified indie rock inflections, some West Coast sunkissed melody and Teenage Fanclub-esque harmonies, and pastoral Byrds-ian atmospherics (viz. penultimate number "Sun Is Always"). Laconic vocalist Chris deadpanned, "we might not look it but we're very excited to be here," before the fuzzed-out psych groove of closer "Seams" rounded off a well-constructed and very promising set. Nice start!
As
befit tonight’s sell-out status, the place then got pretty rammed down the
front, as I kept my barrier spot next to a reluctant Paul, who doesn't usually
do the "down the front thing". Luckily we weren't kept waiting long,
Bill Janovitz leading the Tom on, spot on at 9 to a rousing reception. Let's go
boys!
No
messin’, Buffalo Tom were just quite brilliant tonight. Not "on it"
straight from the off; the Dinosaur Jr grunge-lite of opener and debut single
"Sunflower Suit" almost seemed to ease in slowly, like a lunar rocket
gradually inching above its gantry, but by the soaring chorus it was gaining some
potent momentum. By "Sodajerk", next up, they were well into their
stride, delivering their blue-collar alt-rock with a power, passion and
intensity that would have been customary in their (late) 20-something mid-90s
pomp, but not necessarily expected from a trio of 50-something estate agents
(that's what we call realtors, Bill!), some 3 weeks into a punishing European
tour schedule. Perhaps displaying symptoms of that road-weariness, this was
also by no means precise and note-perfect, but when the rock's this good, this
passionately delivered, who cares? "Torch Singer" saw Bill remark,
"we're a little foggy [as to] when these albums came out; it was the drug
years!" before a splendid, urbane rendition, during which Bill seemed to
catch my eye, a look of recognition seemingly crossing his features... I wasn't
entirely sure about that, but would discover for sure later...!
"We
came from Copenhagen, Berlin, and Louven to here... what language do you speak
in Bristol?" deadpanned Bill (a valid question, actually... I think
"pirate"...!) before an incendiary double of "Summer" and
"Treehouse" ("I was in a "Big Red Letter Day" mood [when
I wrote the set-list] today!"). A plaintive "Mineral" offered
some respite from the intensity, but when the roadie brought on a mic-stand
mounted harmonica, I knew what was coming... sure enough, "Velvet
Roof", up next, was whip-crack fast, raw, ragged and titanic, and I
totally lost my shit rocking out to my favourite Level 3 dance track ever, and comfortably my highlight of
the night.
The
intensity of "Taillights Fade" was as epic as ever, rambunctious
newie "Gone" apparently received, "the best singalong all
tour!" according to Bill, and a lighter "Kitchen Door", sung by
bassist Chris Colbourn, saw Bill quip, "[not bad] for a bunch of guys in
their 30's, like us!" Not bad indeed, "I'm Allowed" rounding off
an utterly stunning set.
An
amphetamine-fast "Tangerine" kicked off the encore, then, before the
final "Staples", Bill complimented Bristol for selling out the gig, a
debate then ensuing as to whether and when The Tom had played Brizzle before; a
fellow front row punter referred to the old Anson Rooms gig (no. 308) and I followed
up with, "1995," Bill then replying, "thank you David; David
says 1995, we know David from his time in Boston." Guess he did recognise
me, then...!
Superb
stuff, the distilled essence of rock'n'roll. And after a long wait (during
which we caught up with my London friend - and close friend of Bill - Lisa,
plus Stephen of The Tom's current record label), just as good was to come, for
me at least... under a pretext to nipping to the loo when a bouncer tried to
usher us out, I ran into drummer Tom, who instead took us backstage for signed
lists and a chat with Bill! I was joined shortly by Lisa, but needed to curtail
my backstage fraternising as Tim phoned me, advising that the bouncers had
kicked them all out and they were waiting outside in the pissing rain! D'oh!
So, one quick pic later, I reluctantly bade my farewells and rescued my crew,
hitting the road for an utterly sodden but elated drive home. 50-somethings
now, maybe, but The Tom still know how to deliver an incendiary, bleeding-raw
rock gig. And may that never change!
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