04/03/2011
Calum Gunn, John Bailey Jnr, Paul Carlin – drums, Ryan McGinness – bass, David Roy and Duncan Robertson – guitars, six-piece…Reshuffle after bassist Laura Hyde’s departure…Glasgow, Scotland…E-numbers evoked least energetic response…Piggyback ride (Bailey jnr + Gunn)…Crammed onto ‘stage’ but thrive in enclosed allotted area…Drummer old enough to be Gunn’s Dad…HARLEY = curious, enigmatic, underground venue, pub, restaurant and hotel, incredibly raw sound system, bass dominated, bumbling/overpowering/crackling speaker on left, condiments and diners still at 9 o’clock!…Rattling, wobbly speaker on right…Fantastic version of Devo – “Whip It”…Shania Twain outburst… Think and Feel… Amusing on-stage chemistry, natural not trying…Enthusiasm and energy unrivalled…Intimate affair…Duly rise to ‘we want more’ – “1 more won’t hurt”…Floored, sit-in, crouching tigers…Hairy meatballs moshing, Gunn: “we don’t like violence”…Vocals complementary to squawking…Not to be missed at Harley or live…2008 showing – little changed, sustained, manic, fun…Fear for The Harley’s windows and blinds…Passers-by must wonder as to the commotion…Fire Escape open…Brings drum out into crowd…Makeshift stage…Wall of cuddles…Bouncing off the ceilings, three contrive to anneal, well utilised space, exploit their surroundings, adventurous…Gunn makes this venue his own, ventures…Gunn crowdsurfs…Bailey Jnr leaps – unwise considering his past injuries at gigs…Songs off new album – ‘I honestly can’t believe you got that much ham into a solitary sandwich and still went to see Metallica’ or working title ‘Better Boadies’…1st album = Hey Everyone!…Ends on Pink Sabbath…Singles Black Wax and Some Dresses mingle cute introductory guitars with complementary singing…Hey Everyone opens with a Rage Against Machine – esque thrashing…Ability to craft smart, ear-pleasing tunes but heavy backdrop is not commercially-friendly…One of ‘best live bands’ in UK…Springing in unison to Pink Sabbath…Thrilling to audio racket/ uncoordinated hammering noise torture
Rating: 7 out of 10