Swindon Music

The night started with me rolling up at 6pm, to zero the desk and turn everything on.

The first band to arrive we This Town, some hour late - apparently due to traffic. Which was a massive shame as they were only form Oxford!

The Alfonz rolled in at the same time, as we loaded in through the side door one member of TTNG quipped "not a night I'd want to go out and watch a gig", maybe he knew something? He was of course referring to the sprinkling of rain.

Sailors turned up last, as usual and rather scant on equipment, as usual.

This Town had in advance refused to share drums, always a negative for me when we have to make a full drum change, what with a late start, 9pm the first band, which is how the crowds work at The Vic. Anyway, I reluctantly agreed to ask the supports to supply a dum kit between them.

So it really annoyed me when TTNG's asked to share, sorry use The Alfonz guitar amp, and possibly bass speakers. Share and share a like. The Alfonz, as real proper gentlemen, lent said guitar and bass amps / speakers - after requesting to share drums and being told no.

Anyway, less moaned about that the better, as the GIG itself, was a [b]master class of underground music[b].

Sailors opened preceedings with their Foalsy / mathy pop. Its all shifting time signatures and from song to song all sorts of creative structures. Opener, which wasn't introduced with a name, is a 6 minute beast, changing direction at least 3 times - I wondered after that maybe they should make this song more concise - but also decided they are young enough to learn that themselves!

The highlight of their set was recently mixed "Red Wax". The time spent in Abby Road was well worth it, as the final version I have heard it utterly fantastic - Live it was also well exicuted, all soaring vocals - if somewhat on the wimpish side - think Minus The Bear crossed with Placebo - in the best possible way.

What I love about the band is the bassist's even clean, simple sound, matched with the guitarist's ever changing sound. Their drummer is bloody good too - has to be to keep all those rhythems tight.

They went off to really good applause, and with recent supports of Calories, Cats And Cats And Cats, Tubelord, and now This Town Needs Guns, it won't be long before we see them clogging up more bills of equal quality.

The Alfonz took to the stage next, it was a simple change over, due to the shared drum kit, and as Sailors didn't bring a bass amp, I D/I'ed it direct, so no kit to trouble with.

The Alfonz have been off for a while, and they were excitedly telling me about their plans for the rest of the year, and how hungry they are for playing live again.

This was evident, though I feel with a larger audience they would of responded better - but then what band dosn't? They played like a band who hadn't for a while, and passionatly went through their set, with a new song too aired for the first time, I forget the name.

I hadn't seen the band before - I was always at another show when they played Swindon, so I was dead excited to see them. They overall sound like was more lethargic than I expected, oweing to a more mature sound and approach which belies their age, given that they are barely 20. I some what assumed they would sound like a competent Libertines rip off / modern indie kids - gladly they don't, and this is to their credit. Obviously I had heard their myspace before, and even joined a mailing list to recieve a free mp3 as well, so I wasn't completely nieve - I just expected a more boyant approach live.

Last up were This Town Needs Guns, a drum change which proved them as good as their word "that they would be quick". I love this band, with my whole heart, so was terrorfied to do their sound - Last outing of a band I loved, Tubelord, I didn't have the balls to correct their volume of approach - this time, there were no such problems, with guitars turned down to sensible levels.

When they played with two guitars both were crystal clear, so we could hear ever intricate detail and note, of which I admit to being very proud to achieve.

Their whole set was recieved with absolute glee from the audience, most of whom had travelled to see the band. They were clearely having fun with what audience was in front of them, and even invited singer from Sailors to join them in "If I Sit Still Maybe I'll Get" which was fantastic - Alex Share grinning like a cheshire cat.

All 3 bands were unique and it was a real coop to have such a strong bill on in Swindon, a bill that would be more associated with say Oxford. Shame not many people came to witness it!

A fine, honest review. I hope you told TTNG they need to brush up on their gigging etiquette though.

"This Town had in advance refused to share drums"

Rather amateur that, and an attitude that will let them down. Are they really using a drumkit that's so precious it can only be touched by special people? Sure sign of a band jerked up on itself.

Agreed. That's asshole behaviour, 100% and should not be tolerated.

If your kit is so precious, don't take it to a gig!