The Vaselines / Deadwall

Brudenell Social Club, Leeds on Tue 30th Sep 2014

With the Leeds Majestiks nightclub ablaze, traffic is murder around the city centre as the loop road is closed. When this loop closes Leeds pretty much comes to a standstill. No matter as we still arrive at the venue with plenty of time to spare. It's a welcoming change to see a band member from a band like The Vaselines selling their own merch. The petite Francis McKee is busy selling their wares on a lovely red glittery tablecloth. Most of it is signed so I waste no time in going over for a wee natter and to buy their latest vinyl single.

Deadwall

Support comes from Deadwall, a local four piece. Their atmospheric but plodding sound is just too slow for me at times, the soft Thom Yorke vocals appear now and again, with a hint of a solo Lou Barlow, especially for the faster (and best of the set) 'Eyes:Wide:Shut'. They do gain pace towards the end, and this does sound great, but the slower songs are just too slow for me. There's little banter, they mention their name halfway through shyly, and the singer mutters the odd other thing to the crowd but I don't hear it. The draping of piano/keys over all the tracks like snow reminds me too much of slow Coldplay, but they do redeem themselves with the thick ploughs of the bass lines and the odd venture into mild guitar strangling.

Frances has left a sweet little note saying they will be back after the show, and after a quick costume change its straight into the alternative rock and dirty jokes these Scots are loved for. They say the new album 'V For Vaselines' came out yesterday, and as Francis jokes was a painful process as it took 4 years. The first song they play is the new single, 'High Tide Low Tide', reminding me of J.B.Morrison (aka Carter USM's Jim Bob going solo).

The Vaselines

There's times when you would be forgiven for questioning how comfortable the duo are on stage, especially if new to their live shows, as they pretty much take the piss out of each other during any banter. Frances mentions that they used to date years and years ago, and then the dirty innuendos crop up, which the crowd laugh at, not nervously like some who don't know the band maybe would, but like 'blurting out' laughing. You soon see that these two are very good friends, and that's what mates do, take the piss. Take a look at the song names and the band's actual name, and you'll get the type of stuff they talk about. Some would say "they've got it on the brain!"

I must admit as a teen of the 90s I am one of those people who got into The Vaselines after hearing Nirvana MTV Unplugged and it's huge selection of covers. Luckily tonight, even though three songs the band covered are in the setlist, it's nowhere near about people coming to listen to just those songs. Whilst I love 'Jesus Doesn't Want Me For A Sunbeam', 'Molly's Lips' and 'Son Of A Gun', it's their own tracks like 'The Devil Inside Me', new track 'Earth Is Speeding' and last song 'Dum Dum' that are my favourites tonight. A bit of the 'Jesus Doesn't Want Me For A Sunbeam' chord progression can be heard in 'Bitch' too, which I like.

The Vaselines

I have seen them play a few times with backing musicians, but tonight the third electric guitar really adds depth and another sound to some old favourites. 'Jesus Doesn't Want Me For A Sunbeam' is given a country style twist, which my friend and I agree makes a nice change. The set starts off more acoustic sounding, like their past shows, but builds up into a more heavy rock sound by the end. Eugene Kelly is having issues with his set up for the encore, but pulls it off (if he hadn't have said anything the crowd would not have noticed that much, Frances was talking to them in her dirty but sweet way). It's good to see this band back. They have a sold out show this week in London, but don't fear, they are back on tour around the UK in November, so be sure to catch them then.

High Tide low Tide
Oliver Twisted
I Hate The 80s
The Day I Was A Horse
Monsterpussy
One Lost Year
Such A Fool
Hairy
Molly's Lips
Sex With An X
Crazy Lady
The Devil Inside Me
Earth Is Speeding
Jesus Doesn't Want Me For A Sunbeam
Sex Sux
Bitch
Let's Get Ugly
Slushy
Ruined
Son of A Gun

Dying For It
Dum Dum

article by: Danielle Millea

photos by: Danielle Millea

published: 02/10/2014 17:42



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