how much do i love this band???? every junket gig i go to becomes jaw-drop time - they ooze rock'n'roll and sex from every pore. singer/guitarist rik's angular frame twists and contorts with heartfelt emotion in every song, and yet his (frosted) makeup still does not run. the twin vocals from rik and steve are so raw yet so perfectly harmonised and drummer reu batters his poor drumkit with so much fury, yet not once does the rhythm slip.
tonight's set consists of five new songs along with the favourites, and all are received with raptous applause. most audience requests appear to be for 'brace yourself', particularly from the guy behind me who, even after it has been played in all its glory still wants more. new single 'brother/sister', full of shocking incest as ever, is played quite early on, but no one's going to forget that one in a hurry. '59 rope' is a standout new song, its catching melody plants itself firmly in everyone's minds and is then perfectly complimented by the ever stunning 'engine man'. the encore of 'everybody's got it wrong' sounds perfectly formed and just completes the set. the end applause is immense and it seems that everybody is aware that they are witnessing the growth of a very special band.
i have to stand for a while, to take it all in.
| this was the first in a new monthly event called 'junkyard 99' and tonight was clearly going to be a success. perhaps a little marred at the start by security insisting on compulsory id checks for the first 100 or so through the door (pah, it's just them attempting to strike fear into the hearts of the younger fans, who incidentally later managed to pass through the doors quite easily. no probs for us though as we're big and oh so clever, heheheh) , a bit unfair considering as many stamp fans aren't 18 but it was all ok in the end. jolt must have been familiar to the majority of people there due to having supported rachel stamp before and probably every other band on the circuit!!! jolt are great - they provide an air of glamour whatever they're wearing and singer mark keds has one of the sexiest voices ever. they begin with 'sex crash' which is pretty self explanatory and probably one of their best songs. jolt have a different sound, very modern, perhaps due to the sound of a tightened snare drum, complex guitar work and cool keyboard noises. they should be huge but sadly i doubt they ever will be. i mean, how many poster and press campaigns have you seen advertising jolt? sure their popularity increases through word of mouth and support slots but they have a shocking lack of airplay (mind you, 'sex crash' on the radio? "the look of it turns you on"......hmmmm.....) but they do have other more suitable tracks and they need to be heard. |
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| i've seen rachel stamp quite a few times over the last couple of years and it's always a great deal of fun. rachel stamp are a live band, their singles have been good but on stage is the best way to experience them. the audience is involved a great deal with tonight's challenge being to jump on stage and kiss singer david before they're thrown back by security. the band performs all the favourite tracks (n.a.u.s.e.a, hey hey michael..., i got the worm, my sweet rose) showing thet they truly are a fans' band, giving them what they want, which results in rachel stamp constantly increasing their fan base. |
the thing i love about 'wayne is their happy irony and the fact that they remind me of watching alternative nation a long, long time ago. when it was good. so that's why i went along tonight, to have a little dance and marvel at the twisted american geetar pop at its finest. on came the band in full geekiness and proceeded to bash out some great sounding new tracks (forgive me, no names yet but the album isn't out) plus the mandatory hits (barbara h, radiation vibe, sink to the bottom etc. etc.) to an enthusiastic and appreciative crowd. admittedly it is the hits which promote the strongest reaction, but why not? they are genuine pop classics. unfortunately they did not play the divine 'carpet king' (b-side to radiation vibe) much to the girl at the side's disappointment but instead wooed us with an encore of britney spears' 'baby one more time'. no one else could carry that off with so much style. so big grins all round, then.
