Swindon Music

Note to self. Stop arriving at venue on time - bands never do!

First to venue rewards me with info that Alex Archer is shadowing me for the night, and So Am I have pulled out of the show!

From my work point of view, it's easier now a band have dropped out to talk stuff through with a newbie, and I'm glad I'm "teaching" (dubious!) some one who I like and get on with.

Not surprisingly Mortdelamer arrive first, and after some quick banter with the band about how to pronounce their name (Mort De La Mer for reference...) it's a swift and easy set up, having put in mics across the stage behind the drummer, which is a darn site easier with out the kit there!

I'll be honest and admit I;ve haven't seen or bothered to check Mortdelamer out before. I can't honestly say why, given that in these days of youtube, myspace and spotify it really couldn't be easier, but I never felt the need. A curious glance on myspace prior to their arrival, suggested to me (through a grainy video) that the band was 3 guys - but the music over the player definitely has a female vocal! Cue me having to save myself from putting my foot in my mouth...

Now it turns out, all 3 members of the band are solid gold, bloody lovely people. Passionate about underground music and jolly good fun to hang around with. Musically their bassist has the best tone from any Swindon band I've dealt with, and only second to I Am Bodhi for any band I've worked with - it sounds lovely!!!

Their sound check was lovely, and whilst not over loud or over powering - it was a powerful sound coming from the stage, at a very reasonable decibel!

I am now informed support band Kinky Boot Beasts bring their own drums, always, regardless.

Dave Young informed me, he wouldn't of done it, and been tough, but I'm always game for a band to express them selves, as long as their is a good reason for not sharing... Turns out there is.

Their front man (and drummer) doesn't like a kit with a hole in the kick. He doesn't like the sound. He likes it rough and ready and a little bit s**t (my opinion, not his!). This is punk rock, in fact it's four to the floor, bust a gut, pedal to the metal - indie punk rock. It's probably the sound The Libertines would make if they grew some balls and enjoyed themselves. That's not to say they should be lumped in with the likes of that scene, as they are not. Think more bands like LOS or LE CHAT NOIR and your getting there. Now chuck in some YOU SLUT and THAT FUCKING TANK power, aggression and riffage and we're pretty bang on.

I'll be honest again, and say I looked over their myspace in advance, and wasn't impressed - first track on their player was a 6 minute indie plod. I can safely assure that their sound is anything but!

Which brings me to a lovely interview with Kevin Douche from Big Scary Monsters, where he admitted to hearing the Jimmy Eat World demos from Clarity, and suggesting they were shit, and he wouldn't of release it - and his favourite new band on that basis could easily be in the "not to both with" pile... Well the KBB's myspace goes in that pile. Even their live video didn't capture the pure power and adrenaline the band performed with, or on the tightness of the guitars and drums. I was seriously loving their set, and impressed with their live performance

This surprise was born from the fact the front man and drummer (same person) was stuck on a train 10 minutes before their stage time (and therefore didn't sound check), only to just make it to the venue in time to take off his shirt and kick the s**t out of his drums. It was unadulterated tension and passion slung into 6 minute grooves of indie rock. I loved it, and you would of too!!


With that out of the way, Mortdelamer took to the stage, ready for their 45 minute set, and apparently a 20 minute closer... *gulp*

The band told me they hadn't practised for a month, but you wouldn't of known. They are clearly well enough rehearsed - bass and kick specifically timing perfect for maximum effect. (I also showed this to Alex to listen to over the headphones, he was duly impressed)

All their songs were pretty spot on, no rough edges which KBB's benefited from, Mortdelamer possibly didn't. The songs were executed perfectly and vocals soaring epic (she has a powerful voice!!) but I found it a very hard sound to pigeon-hole. Now whilst I like, no LOVE difficult music - this wasn't difficult music. I couldn't place the different sounds together nicely. That's not to say their aren't an impressive live band, as they are, just not my cup of tea!

I can't remember now if the band finished on a song that lasted 20 minutes or not, but their friends, fans and crowd seemed to love it enough, with a good reception being given to the 2 brand spanking new songs aired that night