MUSIC IN MANCHESTER

 

(Manchester Bands Section)

 

OCEANSIZE, MOMOMANIA,  GECKO LEVY,  INDIGO DUB,   I AM KLOOT

MANCHESTER BAND  ON THE WALL  12/4/00

A Radio Space/Matchbox production

 
Those awfully kind people @  Matchbox arranged this event, and when Radio Space decided to have an end of run event, jumped onboard and the result is  5 bands limited to strictly controlled 20 minute sets, at price to you mate of only £3.
So on a bleak, rainy night in Manchester, and in keeping with my sense of (poor) timing, I arrive just as Oceansize are collecting their applause, leaving the stage.   However, I did see them a few days earlier  at the Roadhouse, and the are a band that should be high on a `Must See’ list
Not packed, but a good sized crowd is present, though I suspect that a fair number of them haven’t come to sample the delight of the mixed bag of offer, rather they are the mothers and fathers of various band membersEnter Monomania, with Rick Cummings belting out quirky titled gems such as `BHS Escalator Fear‘, `Sofa Bed’ the eponymous (and best) track `She is my Monomania’.       The heavy bass lines produced by Stu Brierley throb in the boomy setting of the BoTW.
 
Unexpected guitar sounds and directions, at times sounding like keyboards being played through a ZX81, but proving a tasty introduction to the evening, setting a high standard for others to follow.
Gecko Levy play their first number and then almost apologetically ask for `More Drums in the left monitor please’ with a tone in his voice that is a direct contrast to in their approach of letting the music do the talking for them
Guitars Mesh, chords collide and a sound meld occurs, topped of with a vocalist who has range of delivery.  Drums & guitars focus on the same point,  then the lead guitarist decide to take the music a stage further.  Facing the speakers, controlling the feedback, he seemingly enters into a duel with the emanating sound, attempting to wring more emotions from an inanimate object than is possible.  I hope he doesn’t stop trying
You have heard the hype, read the posters, now see the band.   `Indigo Dub’  have plastered the place with their literature, talking the talk, but can they walk the walk?   They certainly have the gear with orbital type eyeglasses for Daz on the keyboard stack. the artificial smoke for the atmosphere and black glasses for Mark on vocals.  If anyone seems to be setting themselves up for a fall from grace, then this lot of teenagers seem to be doing it.  Yet from the first blast of the synths, they are intent on an all out attack to win you over.  The pace is frenetic but yet seemingly controlled.  Mark bounces and struts about like Keith Flint on acid. their self confidence appearing well justified as the mixed bag of guitar and keyboards provide the structure for the members to bounce off
And suddenly the venue empties.  Is it the parents taking their off spring home in time for school the next day, or do they think it’s all over now?   Which ever way, there is always something to learn from your peers and I’m glad to report that one such person,  Johnny Bramwell, is alive & well, continuing to perfect the melodic brand of music he is known for
Guy & Johnny
As a 3 piece, with Paul on drums & bass player Andy seemingly wrapped around his instrument, fag draped from corner of mouth, Johnny himself seated, you know you are not at a rave, yet this relaxed but concentrated approach allows the songs to breathe.
After all the power pop, wall of sound etc. etc. `I am Kloot’  provide an ideal contrast for the die hard punters, with the simplicity of the arrangements for tunes such as `Twisted’, `Titanic’, `86 TV’s’ & `Storm Warning’ merely emphasizing their musicianship.
It appears more as if they are playing a request show in your front room, or entertaining the remnants of a late night party with his incisive snippets of life, though at times his self knowingly corny couplets cause a rueful grimace.  Then Guy Gravy (Elbow) emerges from the darkness to join Johnny & Co. for the final tune.
 
Powerful without being overpowered
Contact details  www..ugly-man.co.uk
PO BOX 76
MANCHESTER      M21 9HJ
For a different review of this gig see Music in Manchester
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