Das Wanderlust

It’s Manchester club night Killing Fantasy’s 3rd birthday and what better way to celebrate their anniversary of peddling kitsch and underground alternative by booking a band that could epitomise just that – Das Wanderlust.

The band may not be up for joining in with the celebrating though. Vocalist and keyboard whiz Laura Simmons is unwell, apparently suffering from a ‘tummy bug’ that has induced all kinds of unpleasantness, and she apologises for her performance before it has begun. In fact, throughout the much-too-short 30 minute show there is more self deprecation than in the average telephone call to the Samaritans. The show is choc-a-bloc with lyrics and asides putting themselves down. “Perception is a funny thing, makes you think you’re very good when you’re really very shit” says one tune. “That’s not music, its bloody noise” they shout as it concludes. Even as they finish guitarist Andy Elliott announces that there are CD’s available to buy from the band but “if you do want one, seek professional help”. Simmons seems to have a lack of confidence that manifests in the quips and ‘sorry’s and while singing she stares intently at the ceiling.

	"It’s a welcome outbreak of pure fun when so many bands are trying to be the aural equivalent of Frank McCourt."

It’s not the band that should be apologising though; it’s whoever set up the sound. Simmons’s vocals are so quiet that her words are unintelligible over instruments and barely audible over the audience chatter between songs. She’s probably quieter than usual due to her lurgy, but someone should have twiddled a knob somewhere and made an adjustment.

The huge contradiction with the apparent nerves is the opening song. The CBeebies bedtime story preface disguises that they are about to launch into last years single ‘The Orange Shop’. Mark Riley named this song about love in the daily humdrum his favourite of the year and with good reason. It is Das Wanderlust trademarked “100mph Fisher Price pop” with Simmons plinking out the infectious melody whilst barking “I think you’re so fucking amazing” in a Eastender-accented, faux operatic yelp. It is the catchiest song you have never heard.

What follows are more of Laura’s cartoon keyboard driven songs. Each of the 8 tracks are punctuated by changes in pace or handclaps or recorder or the Casio given to Andy when he was 7. It’s a welcome outbreak of pure fun when so many bands are trying to be the aural equivalent of Frank McCourt.

The band enjoys it too, and in particularly smiley form was bassist Natalie Boxall. Or, as it will be by the time you read this, ex-bassist Natalie Boxall as Saturday sees her play her last gig with the band. She is the second member to leave in recent times with a new drummer having been recruited in 2006. For both the ex-members it appears “life” was their reason for leaving, meaning that they think either the band is going nowhere, or the band is heading somewhere and the commitment is too much for what was a hobby. I sincerely hope it’s the latter, because bands like this should thrive. Even if tonight was a bit subdued thanks to infection, there was more than enough here to show that Das Wanderlust has a noisy, fast-paced future. Get on it!

FUTURE GIGS

sorry, we currently have no gigs listed for this act.