Kid Carpet / The Rushes

London’s The Rushes play the sort of music that has not been around for a while. I sense bits of Crowded House in there, but played by young twenty-somethings. Gerard O'Connell’s range of vocals are noticeable in a good way; his guitar sounds a little out of tune on some tracks but that could be the sound they are after.

I really like this band but doubt that they will be very big. In certain circles maybe, but mainstream I very much doubt. Which is a shame really, they should have had a bigger crowd, but Fibbers is very empty for their set.



More faces do show up for Bristol’s Ed Patrick, or Kid Carpet as we all know him. The child-like young man is an engrossing entertainer, mixing sampled songs, energetic vocals and humorous mutterings and stories. Oh yes and he creates live samples using Casio keyboards, Fisher Price guitars and other assorted plastic playthings (don’t get the wrong idea, they are all for ages 3 and up). He calls it “Kiddy Disco Punk”. You can safely say that he has cornered that genre.

Notably sporting a more expensive sampling kit, Carpet lets us know what settings are for each song, which many find amusing. Some are “very nice, but wrong” when the incorrect buttons are pressed.

Unfortunately a bag of goodies was stolen by a tramp outside a venue on a previous tour, so the wee Furby sound device from ‘Your Love’ and a keyboard are among the missing items essential to the show. The samples are stored in the machines, but we want the real thing!


Of course the big bad red guitar makes an appearance, complete with distorted effects (just like a real guitar children) and “flashing lights”. Carpet wields this about like a metal god, prompting more laughter, especially with the high jumps.

Clever lyrics, sang in a part spoken informatively, part shouty way, are about subjects such as employment, the dole office, the Olympics 2012 and something about Barry Manilow and boob jobs. Though some may find them simple and straightforward there is no denying they are witty observations that I would guess the majority of us can relate to. Think of the way Peter Kay reminded us all about family members and comical sayings; this is the musical and much crazier version.

‘Jump’, modelled on Van Halen’s song and completely ripped to shreds, gives Carpet an excuse to jump about (honestly, the relentless energy, and this is a weeknight). New EP ‘The Kid’s Back’ continues the silly trend of content that only KC can achieve. All game for a laugh, let’s hope that the overgrown toddler won’t stop ‘til everyone has witnessed his unique show.

FUTURE GIGS

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