Thursday 5 June 2008

What goes on in Guildford stays in.....

Glasvegas
5th June
Boiler room
Guilford


To the pride of Surrey (probably) with A to see the heavy hot young sound of Dalmarnock

Firstly nice venue: beer garden with hanging baskets, comfy seat and more than acceptable Chinese food. Far better than the deep fried fat at the Brixton academy

Beer: usual range for £3 pint also sell haribo and chuppa chups!
Clientele: students, indie emo-types, rotund 40 somethings solo and with partners and a first for me blokes in shirts with cuff links (possibly it turns out from the record company). There was guy talking to himself and quite a few posh kids. One kid seemed to have come with his mum he was dressed immaculately rock kid wise in a leather jacket and knowingly scruffed big hair, we thought he was the next act but obviously the nice women next to him in the fleece was making sure he didn’t get led astray by the likes of evil old me. Kudos as ever to the vain witch gobby at the bar who talked loudly through the main gig cheers luv.

Support:
Frank Hammond (?) usual indie fare, songs about day time telly, nice “inept” stylophone solo though. A bit like the Jack Penate .

Next bloke (name forgotten sorry) played twangy surf music on his own. Sadly he forgot the golden rule that like surfing it’s not rock and roll if you’re sat down, oh and he needs a drummer.
A sad vignette as we left this chap was at the door trying to flog his CD it harsh to walk past so quickly but we did.

Glasvegas:
Looked like a proper band matching hair cuts, similar clothes and crucially all stood up including the drummer!
Lead singer looks like a a cross between Ricky Gervais and late period Joe strummer, guitarist seemed to be drinking buckfast wine, the bass player would redeem himself in the movie by jumping on a grenade, and the drummer had an endearing way of looking at the drum she was going to hit next.
Basically they looked like a gang which is exactly as it should be.

On the whole even with a break for a dodgy lead, Glasvegas where wonderful.
I think they played all the songs they have, but with real passion and energy. I can see them winning over festivals with their “heart on ya sleeve Proclaimers” thing.

The music is driving loud-quiet indie rock but sung in at times in a dense vernacular that adds to the whole thing. Lyrics the usual really love, life and social workers.
Stand out songs:
Geraldine and one about ice cream.

Conclusion: Glasvegas were excellent and the Boiler house is a good friendly venue too. All in all a good night even the train ride home wasn’t bad peaceful in near empty carriage.

Ps: The “Too much information” award goes to the lads in the bogs talking about their urinary tract infections. Come on boys this is Guildford after all.

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