26 February 2008 (gig)
05 March 2008
First up is Ungdomskulen. Well, they are for me, as I realise an hour later than I've missed the first band, Ida Maria. Unsurprisingly, Ungdomskulen aren't from around here, hailing all the way from Norway. The three piece start to play to a less than half full Astoria. I hardly listen to the first song, as I notice the drummer has a moustache, and he doesn't appear to be wearing it in an ironic way as Eddie Argos(of Art Brut fame) once did. Eventually the music takes my attention away from the 70's facial hair, and I like it. They remind me of At The Drive-in, with vocals occasionally screamed instead of sung. It's amazing that a three piece can make so much noise, as the ever increasing audience start to take note too. They belt out a few more noisy yet melodic tunes, and I'm beginning to enjoy this.
Just before the last song, we are told by the singer that this is their best song, and that one day, maybe it will be in our Top 10 or 20 of all time. A big statement, that makes my ears prick up even more than they were. But they are disappointed as the previous ATD-I sound is replaced by riffs that are more Iron Maiden doing a psychedelic 70's cover. If you haven't guessed already, I don't like "Maiden" and just hope that next time I see them, they stick more with the ATD-I sound.
Surprisingly, Lightspeed Champion take to the stage. In a smilar fashion to Ida Maria, I'm not sure whether to say "him" or "them"... Um, he wasn't on the original bill, but after critical acclaim levied on the debut album, it's a treat to have yet another supporting artist on the bill. The last time I had seen Dev Hynes perform,(Mr Lightspeed Champion) was at this very venue, to witness the demise of his previous band, Test Icicles. It being their very last performance. I've read enough and heard one or two songs to know that this was going to sound very different to the last time. Even knowing that, I'm disappointed in a performance of what sound like very average songs. Not bad, but not good either.
Between dodging the toilet attendant and relieving myself, I chat to a fan who is similarly disappointed with the performance tonight, saying that he's seen the Champion previously and he's been great. Maybe just an off night then..
The Young Knives don't do off nights. Not tonight or the last 3 or 4 times I've seen them. Another 3 piece, the Dartnall, Henry and The House of Lords on guitar(plus vocals) and bass respectively, are about as far away from each other as they can be, with Oliver set back a bit, banging on the skins. Relatively new tacks, Terra Firma and Up All Night, mix seamlessly with older classics, Here Comes the Rumour Mill, The Decision and She's Attracted To. And it's not only the punchy indie anthems that keep us all entertained tonight.... If there was a school for between-song banter, the tweed wearing Henry and The House of Lords, would be head teachers! It's self defacing at times, their slightly overweight bodies being a favourite topic. I can't think of another band that appears to having as much fun as they do when onstage. Or an audience that does too!
