THE GETDOWNS + DAVE? + THE DESCARTES + RUSH HOUR SOUL - Dexters, Dundee 25-01-08
Before I went to this gig, I knew it would be enjoyable - what I couldn't have known, is that it would turn out to be sensationally spectacular - but it was.......and this is why.......
These four bands are four of Dundee's best indie bands, but also four bands who've never really received the appreciation they deserve. That they've all done loads of gigs in the city is known; that they've all improved as time's gone by is also known. But this was the first time they've all played on the same bill, and where better for each band to turn that oft hoped-for corner that takes a band from seriously good to jaw-droppingly great - which is precisely the evidence you saw and heard before you.
To a packed Dexters - in itself a testament to the increasing popularity of each band - The Getdowns were on first. Those who keep up with them will know that the last couple of gigs they've been attempting something different, involving a tape recorder and a mic. Well, the tape recorder's gone, the mic's still there....and something more, too. First off, the band are now playing the whole set as one piece - no between song breaks, just musical links (some of which were brilliant as one song segued into another) or just a half heartbeat distance between two songs). So, visually, the first thing you notice is that bassist and guitarist are wearing identical red and white check shirts, looking like refugees from a country band - and we'll see why they did this in a minute. Also, lead guitarist and vocalist Stuart's "Gene Vincent" styled mic is now the front of stage one, while a second is now set up by the drum kit. The set starts with a roar as "The Nation's Favourite" lets rip, the band playing at a pace the Ramones would fine sedate, but the tightness absolutely amazing as the trio's timing is just spot on. We got the inevitable and always stunning "Proper Music" among others, as the band pwered forward. But then it was into a new track and the start of the twists that were to come - the new track revolves around a repeated line that goes something like "We Should Spend More Time Together" as the arrangement begins as a slice of strident ska-etched punk, the insistence of the rhythm section matched by the heady nature of the lyric, a combination that you simply could not resist, as the song strode ahead. After that it was headlong into "Screaming And Shouting", and here Stuart turns to the 2nd mic that departs from the song and goes into....well, anything he feels at the time. The 2nd mic was set up with this immense echo on it, making him sound like some punk-fuelled airport flight announcer, as he decided that tonight was pop night and started into some pop song that could have been Britney Spears or something like that, only dissected and reassembled 'a la' The Getdowns. That it worked and proved utterly mesmerising was a treat, the rhythm section thundering away at the back, Stuart directing them almost Zappa-like when he went down or up, this mid-song excursion eventually returningto the main song as they ended, and without a pause for breath, gave us "My Girl", a song that is introduced by the rhythm section, tonight the drummer playing more of the cymbals allowing the basssist to thunder on top on the intro, before the song gets going and shards of guitar chords that Neil Young at his most rampaging would have been proud to unleash, sparked out as the song thunders ahead. At a now spectacular pace they launch into the set closer......so you think. But it stops and Stuart moves across to Doherty's mic and the two of them move back and forth as co-lead vocalists on something that is truly both bizarre and spectacular, as this song, of which the hook lyric goes something like "You'll Be Going Out Of Business Real Soon", is delivered in what can only be described as pure punk-meets-country but like nothing you've ever before witnessed, as the band bring this immense smile to your face, the two singers and guitarists looking the part as they add yet another amazing dimension to their set and end as abruptly as they started. That they're tearing up the rock 'n' roll rulebook with every gig, is now beyond question - the amazing thing to consider is just how far they can go - surely one of the most incendiary bands on the whole Dundee music scene.
BUT............they're not alone......
Dave? were up next. Now electing to carry on as a trio, since the departure of the second guitarist, tonight's gig marked the debut of their new drummer, Scott Masterton. Did I say debut? Well, on this evidence, there's no way you'd have believed that if it wasn't true, for the guy played one belter of a set, to my ears not purring a foot (or a hand) wrong), delivering a rock solid performance that you just have to admire. As to the band itself, and bearing in mind that they've moved previously from groundbreaking indie heat to more commercial song-based sets, they were fantastic. Starting the set with a song that wasn't that memorable but well powerful, the band kind of finding its feet as it were, their confidence grew, the large audience roared its approval, and the band never looked back. If The Getdowns set was like being hammered with unceasing rifle fire, Dave?'s set was like having boiling oil dropped on you from a great height, the sheer incredible intensity of the performance, something that transcended any individual song, although the performance of the fantastic track that is "Free Drink" was positively breathtaking as the band fired up and Daniel on vocals and guitar just let loose with all guns blazing, the song pouring out of the PA to stunning effect, as Michael Duncan on bass thundered out and kept it all solid. The crowd loved it, as mesmerised by it as they were dancing madly to it, as the band just rose from height to height as the set wore on, the entire, and almost unbroken, performance as a whole, far greater than the individual parts. This was electrifying indie intensity at its wall-to-wall best, proof that this trio is going to go on from here an get noticed.
I've seen The Descartes before and enjoyed them, not finding enough in there to latch onto enough to set them apart. But tonight's performance was a different story. You'd have thought, especially on previous performances, that you'd have witnessed a less intense, more clearly defined song-based set that would have come as something more "relaxing" after the two previous sets. But, clearly fired up with something new and equally determined, they must have been feeling the energy and electricity coming from bands and audience up to this point, the band exceeded expectations on a massive scale as they roared into a set that was absolute dynamite. I've never heard the band play this powerfully before, exuding all the intensity and strength of the previous two bands, with songs wrapped up in red hot waves of dual electric guitar fire, as the quartet managed to lace their set of songs with extra levels including the mixing of ringing leads and solid riffs as the two guitars soared, not to mention, the twists and turns of arrangements that really kept the band sounding fresh and vibrant, but totally in keeping with the flavour of the evening's performances so far. The vocals were really powerful, delivered with a force that was still sung as opposed to hollered, while th rhythm section were rock solid throughout, as the whole thing just burned effortlessly from one song to the next. But what The Descartes added to the proceedingfs was an addded sense of light and shade, so that there are moments when the guitars would clam down and melodies would flow from the PA before the whole song would take off once more. It was so spectacular a set, that I just threw myself into the storm that was coming from the PA, taking no notice of individual tracks, so those wanting a more detailed review will have to wait till next time, for there most surely will be a next time, as this band are on the way to real success, judging by the strength of the way they are now sounding, and I want to be there to see it!!
Fourth up were Rush Hour Soul. By now, this was clearly one stunner of an evening, so it was with a certain nervous expectancy that I wondered if the RHS guys could put the icing on the cake. That they did this is testament to the talent these guys have - that they did this with ease, AND in keeping with the power of the night so far, not to mention a set that was as innovative as it was song-based. The first track opened with real promise as they steamed ahead, but that promise wavered a bit when the song seemed to wander a bit for the final third or so. But the second track - and for give me for not having titles - was a positive assault, still a song but with the RHS engine now firing up and the guys looking the most satisfied on stage that I've seen them for a while. After that it was into their classic "Art of Conversation" track and this took off like a rocket, with its anthemic chorus, soaring strong vocals and rock solid rhythmic flow. The next track was a song I didn't recognise but it was a mighty beast and allowed the band to let loose on the instrumental mid-section, where they just tore the place apart, at one point playing what can only de described as this scorhingly dirty series of heavy metal riffing wrapped up in this red hot indie rhythmic attack, and just blows your head off, before the band retake the path of the song and finish it all off. A storm force "Sixteen", another heady chorus-based song, saw them venture into guitar-driven almost seventies New York styled punk and some of the lead guitar work sounded like early Television with 10,000 volts stuck up its backside - just awesome. From there they could do no wrong - a fantastic set and a positively jaw-dropping delight.
Any one of the 4 bands playing tonight could have headlined - in fact, the amazing part is that any fan of a single band would love the other three, as attested by the fact that most of the audience who had their favourites, stayed until the final whistle.
This was wild and innovative and intense and song-based and refreshing and more. That the four of these bands should go out on a Dundee package tour and shatter the waiting musical world outside of Dundee, is something that should not only be done - promotors take note - but that will get all four bands on the map, and then some. As indie goes, this is seriously where it's at. A packed Dexters enjoyed it all - if they come near you, make sure you do too - you won't regret it!!