Some time ago, Darren Trew from the Killer Klowns mentioned on the Divine Rites Mailing List that after his last gig at the Green Square he had received complaints for playing too loud, on the basis that the patrons in the next bar could hear the band. I found this extremely puzzling because when I'm running late for a show at there, I have always been able to hear the band out in the street, well before I get anywhere near the front door.
Tonight is no exception and, oh shit, it's the Bluebirds I can hear. These guys play so rarely it's always a special treat to catch them, only I'm missing them. Such is my fervour at this point that I don't even stop at the front bar to get myself a beer on the way through to the "concert" area.
For a band that doesn't play much in public, they're in pretty good form tonight, though Mick Medew's trademark vocals are a little low in the mix (hmm, I seem forever to be complaining about some aspect of the sound being too low; is this some international soundman conspiracy or is it my hearing failing?). Later I notice the soundman walking around with some strange handheld device - has someone sold him a really crap mobile phone or is he checking sound levels? Have the neighbours been complaining?
The Bluebirds are a band that's prepared to work hard for its money and they whip through a sharp set that even extends to a Frank Zappa cover and some good riffage that flirts with Hendrix's "Foxy Lady" at one point.
During the lengthy break before the next set, I have plenty of time to look around, once I get myself that long overdue beer. Amidst the smattering of half familiar faces, there is a largish, loose group of people I don't think I've ever seen before. They stand out because they look younger than the usual crowd, at least in the Square's subdued lighting; they're generally better dressed; they're keener to dance; and a fair number of them seem to be really drunk. No matter, at least they look like they've come prepared to have a good time.
At this point I also notice that one of the pool tables has quite a large blackish stain on it and the plastic straw and two small ice cubes sitting in the middle of the stain seem to indicate that it is of recent origin; the landlord's behaviour when he sees it is another indication that it's a very new addition to the decor. Meanwhile, on the next pool table, there's a game in progress where some serious hand/eye co-ordination issues are evident.
"...tonight's show is closer to being
run down by a combine harvester..."
And then the Sneekers start up and the crowd divides into two. Half, including many of the more familiar faces, apparently have little interest in the Sneekers and head out to the front bar. I don't understand why this is happening as the Sneekers, after a shaky start, prove to be a reasonable power pop band (even if there's a tendency for the pop to predominate over the power), who know how to strike a good balance between catchy melody and straight out riffage.
During their set one of the guitarists mentions that this is the Sneekers' first gig. Later I find out that they have also contributed to the organisation of the evening and it's out of personal friendship that the Bluebirds have been persuaded to make one of their rare appearances, though I can't help thinking that it was pretty brave of the band to sandwich themselves between such accomplished acts as the Bluebirds and the Thermals.
After their set, the bands change over and so does the audience. Those who have come to see the Thermals now drift in from the front bar and those who were here for Sneekers either go home or head out into the beer garden and back patio, where clearly the fun must be continuing as later a couple of hotel staff are seen heading that way with buckets and mops.
Tonight the Thermals
seem to be pacing themselves more than usual (which is not all) and the performance
is a little slower and more deliberate in comparison to previous frenetic gigs.
Where before they have played sets which have been the aural equivalent of sticking
your head into a kitchen blender, tonight's show is closer to being run down
by a combine harvester - the blades may not be as sharp or delicate, but it's
more of a whole body experience... It will be interesting to see which approach
they've used for their forthcoming EP.
-
John McPharlin
