A
late addition to the Spring Dance Card, this; my old friend Paul Crowfoot, now
domiciled in Seattle and with whom I’d re-connected with last year, was in
Europe for a few weeks with work, and fancied a jaunt to the UK, to catch up
with family and also catch a gig! He suggested this one to me, also inviting
along another old friend; Roger Herman, now up in the Midlands, but happy to
trip down to Swindon to join us! So, a whole load of “first time since...”
attached to this gig; first time I’d been to a gig with Paul since The Amps in
December 1995 (gig 311), first time for me and Rog since Ride in March 1990
(159) and the first time I’d met him at one since Astrid in August 2000, and
likewise, the first time I’d seen hosts The June Brides since the only previous
time at Level 3 in May 1986, nearly 30 years ago!
A
lot of catching up to do, then, so I picked the boys up at 5.30 for a swift
dive oop The Smoke, the years and miles peeling away effortlessly in
reminiscing. Tubed in and hit the venue dead on 8, wandering downstairs to this
evocative old haunt, formerly one of the cradles of the 70’s punk scene. A
sparse crowd greeted opening band Clipper, late to the stage at 8.15. Painfully
young (“the grandchildren of C86,” we remarked!), their set was ramshackly,
unfocussed, a bit all over the place at times but not without charm,
particularly their 3rd, brand new number, the best and most coherent
in the set. “This is a new number, so it might be a bit rough around the
edges,” introduced the curtain-haired vocalist as they set off on another
pleasantly meandering jangle-fest. “As opposed to…” I thought…! A polite set
ended politely, with a Brilliant Corners-lite final number being preceded by
the boys saying, “thank you for having us!” Their parents (most here tonight,
filming them on their phones) clearly brought them up well…!
So
then on to The Wolfhounds, a band of similar vintage to tonight’s headliners.
Fellow C86 contributors, for some reason I’d blanked on them back in the day so
approached this set completely cold. I was impressed from the outset; much more
hard-edged and aggressive than the usual innocuous strumalong sound that era
evokes, their opener was fast, frantic and almost menacing in its’ metronomic
guitar groove, recalling a more overt Wedding Present and setting the tone for
the set. “Divide And Fall”, apparently a more recent number, was a thrilling
MBV-esque squalling noise with an insistent hook, and oldie “Anti Midas Touch”
was more acerbic and angular. Running over time, they had to cut a couple of
numbers, but overall they left a very favourable impression, a point I remarked
to affable badger-haired vocalist David Callahan afterwards. Some catching up
to do on this lot for me, then…
Grabbed
a list, plus one for Rog and one for comedian Stewart Lee, who was standing
behind us rocking out and was thus grateful for the souvenir! The 6-piece June
Brides then followed in very short order, taking the stage barely 10 minutes
later at 9.45, led by diminutive vocalist Phil Wilson, dapper in suit jacket
and white chinos. Initially they eased into their set very politely, opener
“The Instrumental” understated, with John Hunter's trumpet blare, so overt on
record, a little lost in the mix. Even 3rd number, the endearingly
gauche ramshackle bop of “Every Conversation” (introduced by Phil as, “time for
some gyrating”) was restrained and respectful. A lovely “I Fall” continued this
vein, the deferential version accentuating its’ fragility and layers of deep
melancholy, a key aspect of June Brides’ material, and actually working
perfectly for this particular number. Then it all changed…
“On
The Rocks”, next up, was a galloping rockabilly beast, appropriating the riff
and rhythm from Elvis’ “His Latest Flame”, and thereafter the restraints were
off, the sound tougher, powerful, more strident, the band finally hitting their
stride. Guitarist and co-vocalist Simon Beasley remarked, “you’re gonna love
our 10 minute version of “The Lord’s Prayer” (a nice touch in this venue!), and
before a thrillingly punky “Sick, Tired and Drunk” Phil made reference to the
’76 Punk Festival being here, “30 years ago… no, 40!” A fiddle-led “In The
Rain” ended the set, before encores of a racey, almost spooky “Heard You
Whisper” and the toughened up folky jig of “No Place Called Home” got the crowd
rocking and rounded off a set of two halves, coming in like a lamb and roaring
out like a lion!
Grabbed
a list and tracked down various Brides afterwards, recalling that Swindon gig
in the process and enjoying chats with Phil and Simon in particular, before
hitting the road, buoyed by some splendid music in great company, again both
off and onstage. A red-eyed 1.30 home, but happy with that. After all, tonight
was the first time since…!
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