Of the half-a-dozen or so gigs on the slate for October, ‘Gonzo On Tour’ at the Glasgow Barfly last night was the one that I was most intrigued about.
I picked up on The Young Knives just over a year ago after seeing one of their videos on MTV2. I signed-up to their webpage and through this got advance notice that they were playing said Gonzo gig, supported by The Grates (whoever they were). So tickets were purchased.
A couple of days later, it was announced that the indie flavour of the month – The View – were also going to be part of the show. Given that this lot are from Dundee, maybe 90 mins drive away from Glasgow, and that their gigs in Scotland sell out pretty quickly, I did wonder if it would all be a bit too much and the hype would be more than the thing itself.
Neither myself nor Rachel had set foot in the Barfly before. I think now we’ve got the full set of venues in our home city, including some that are no longer with us (The Plaza, Tiffany’s, Maestro’s, Night Moves and The Apollo to name five off the top of my head). It was much smaller than we imagined, but that allowed everyone to get up close to the stage. Problem with that is there was no chance of hiding from any of the MTV2 cameras recording the gig for transmission later in the year. And we were conscious of being just about the oldest folk there – maybe the grandparents of the boys from The View were marginally nearer bus-pass age.
It was hot, it was sticky and it was very noisy. The room was on fire. And that was before any of the bands took to the stage.
How to describe The View? Think of a combination of The Arctic Monkeys and The Libertines (before Pete Doherty went off the rails) and you’re just about there. And they were bloody brilliant. No – forget that. They were beyond brilliant. They completely lived up to the hype and went beyond anything I expected of them. A blinding 30 minute set that felt about half that time and then they were gone. Back up to Dundee before they breached their ASBOs. (Any foreign visitors are asked to ‘google’ ASBOs for an explanation). This lot are going to be massive. See them before it’s too late and its Arenas and Festivals only. Be prepared to sweat a lot. If you’re getting on a bit, be prepared to jump about like you haven’t done since The Pixies at their peak. Be prepared to be blown away. And get ready to take evasive action as one crowd-surfing guitar player leaps off the stage as the gig comes to an end.
Follow that The Grates.
A bloke and 2 girls take to the stage. One of the girls is stunning-looking, if a bit stick-insect thin. She is also dressed like Cyndi Lauper. Not too sure at this stage. The other girl – tomboyish and dungaree-clad – goes behind the drum-set and starts pounding away. Bloke – pretty nondescript and the type I’ve seen in many bands over the years – plucks at his guitar strings. They make sounds that are not unpleasant on the ears. The looker, who now has a manic grin, is leaping around the stage in the manner of Richard Jobson circa 1978. Visually, it is incredible. Thankfully, the singing is not a let-down.
Here was a band that had loads to lose. An audience that, at the start, was half of that from the opening act, and an audience that was much more reserved and quiet. Not much good if, like The Grates you’re an ‘in your face’ sort of band who require a reaction. And thankfully, and deservedly, they got one. The crowd started to came back onto the floor from the upstairs bar. They clapped and they cheered as The Grates played a thoroughly enjoyable 30 minute set.
Today, I’ve learned they’re from Brisbane, Australia, and that they’ve released a handful of EPs and singles over the past 3 years. And that they released an album earlier this year. One website has said of them, ‘They have been lauded for their catchy songs and enthusiastic and energetic live shows. They are frequently described as fun. They have a distinctive style.’ Pretty accurate if you ask me.
Follow that The Young Knives
You’re coming on after two totally different types of acts have had an audience eating out of the collective palms of their hands. And you’re a band who make videos that follow the great English comedy traditions of Madness and The Housemartins. But you’re not famed for having stage prescence.
You treated us to a blistering 50 minutes, producing as good a live set as I’ve seen all year. Supremely tight. That surprised and delighted me. As did the quality of Henry’s guitar licks. They were at times Coxon-esque – especially on the gorgeous and lovely ‘Hollow Line’. You were clearly enjoying yourselves, and the audience was with you all the way. Your on-stage chat inbetween songs was equally spontaneous and amusing.
It wasn’t a flawless set – I just don’t like the song ‘Tailors’ and it didn’t improve in the live environment. But everything else….far too many highlights to mention. You deserve the fame and adulation that is going to come the way of The View. I hope that somehow it all comes your way. Everyone should own a copy of ‘Here Comes The Rumour Mill’ – one of the best singles of 2006. Oh, and thanks to the House of Lords for both his breakdancing and his tribute to The View at the end when he crowd-surfed. Very funny. I just hope that when the gig airs, I don’t look too much of a prat down the front. I’ll be easily spotted – the old fat bloke in among the young and skinny students.
A memorable gig all in. And a complete contrast to the next concert in 48 hours time. But more on that later in the week.
Sorry this has been such a lengthy posting, but it’s the only way to do the three bands justice.
Posh Boys – The View (mp3)
Science Is Golden – The Grates (mp3)
Loughborough Suicide – The Young Knives (mp3)
THERE WERE TWO COMMENTS LEFT AT THIS POST
W.A. Fading said…
Oh… wish I’d been to this now! Really enjoying the Young Knives album (in particular).
JC said…
Mr Fading. Your taste, as ever, is impeccable.