Arriving just after Pulled Apart by Heroes, the realisation that there are still 10 acts to go, hits with a buzz of energy hopefully enough to last all day. Soon after I head to the bar to shake off last nights hangover, three birds (C-Bird, D-Bird and X-Bird) take to the stage. Playing sludgy garage rock with two bass guitars and a simple drum setup, An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump manage to create a grimy buzz with haunting vocals that reverb around the room. Unfortunately, their lack of interaction with everyone watching fails to get much of a reaction.
Laurel Collective were next up. Singers Martin Sakutu and Bob Tollast's co-vocals give soulful harmonies or added vocal rhythms over the quirky lyrics. Mix that with unusual rhythms, danceable beats and an energetic drum beating performance then you have the collective. Rose Elinor Dougall followed up perfectly with her new down-tempo solo material. Moving away from the chintzy Pipettes power pop to a more romantic folk-inflected sound. Easily taking the full concentration of half the audience, you could hear every sultry lyric. Not long after, Jay Jay Pistolet had his chance at stealing the hearts of the fairer sex with his laid back folk songs. The subdued words of love, heartbreak and pain could either hold you rapt or uncaring. Unluckily for him, the beer must flow, and loud chatter could be heard over many of his songs. In the end causing him to give the double-edged compliment of thanking the crowd for being so attentive.
The atmosphere in the room was starting to need a change. In come the clean cut brothers from Nottingham, no, the Isle of Man, whatever, Swound. Looking a little too robotic their clinical set was just a little clichéd even though they seemed fairly talented musicians. Even the 'catchy' lyrics are repetitive and get slightly nauseating at times. "If a Shark stops swimming it dies" will be stuck in my head for weeks to come... Middle Class Rut manage to bring back some genuine rock 'n' roll to the Barfly. In true - Spinal Tap - amps to 11 style, this duo ripped into their instruments. While Sean Stockham thrashes the drum kit with furious style, Zack Lopez throws out staggering riffs without pause, even using an e-bow to great effect. The influence from Jane's Addiction is impossible to miss but the havoc of the show is unique. When they left the stage, all I could wonder is when my ears would stop ringing.
Unsure of how to follow the previous band, Slow Club are giggling before they start playing. Announcing that its their first gig for the new year brings a friendly cheer and welcomes the more relaxed feeling back in the room. The upbeat, quirky, songs keep you grinning even when they're about 'there's no easy way to break up'. Jokes about 'Barry Chuckle in the audience' follow and everyone's in tears of laughter.
Not being able to keep up, Esser was the last act I saw. His off-kilter pop songs seem to sum up the night. Mixing genres and styles he fuses together unconventional song structure with easy to sing along choruses. With not enough room to dance, the cool fidget was keeping everyone going. With songs ranging from the classical piano reggae of 'Satisfied' to the more electronic 'I Love You' there seems to be no gap in his inventiveness. Supporting the Kaiser Chiefs on their upcoming tour will no doubt bring him many more fans.
article by: Chris Matthews
photos by: Chris Matthews
published: 28/01/2009 10:52
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