Paul Archer is a captivating sight. THE GHEARS’ frontman is laidback between songs, friendly; polite even. But before his plectrum-gripping fingers have finished sawing their first notes, an amazing transformation occurs – his bald head thrashes backwards and forwards revelling in the subsequent wall of sound. Eyebrow raised, lip snarling, Archer emanates rage and authority; for some reason he reminds me of short-tempered teacher Mr Strickland from Back To The Future, albeit a younger, rather more piratical version. Anyway… first song ‘Switch’ is all you need to witness to reach the conclusion that Archer is the dynamo from which The Ghears draw their power.
And it’s a power they’re not afraid to use. Although musically The Ghears are satisfyingly difficult to tie down, they deliver their experimental songs with the energy of a band like Joy Division. It’s not all about Archer’s sweet Bono-crossed-with-Lou Reed squall either; guitarist Brick adds a polished sheen to the pounding powerchords whilst bassist Higs furrows some enticing grooves. And on songs like ‘My Head’s On Fire’ drummer Pas summons up the kind of frenzied noise that jolts your spine and gives you backache just thinking about it.
A couple of the early songs sound a little bit like the Manic Street Preachers. Peculiarly, ‘Arrest And Development’ starts off a lot like William by The Others, but Brick’s burly lead soon takes it off into the kind of territory occupied by Placebo.
Still, as I mentioned, there’s not much point trying to compare and contrast The Ghears; better just to enjoy the individuality of their music. ‘Melt’ allows both guitar players to coalesce both vocally and instrumentally. ‘Inter-Flex’ seems to be their big hitter; it’s a groovy little number that best exhibits what each of the four Ghears can bring to the party and becomes the most memorable song they play tonight.
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They bow out with ‘Easy Flow.’ Initially it’s a bit of a slow burner, but it builds gradually to a thunderous pile-up of a climax; Archer gurns like a true pro, hammering his guitar those few final times while his bandmates abuse their instruments with glee. It’s a fiery, passionate finale from an impassioned band. That’s The Ghears in a nutshell really; there’s an endearing workmanlike ethic to their performance, and when you add that to music that refuses to be pigeonholed, you’re left with a refreshingly different live experience.
Sure, ‘Inter-Flex’ aside, the music isn’t what you’d call immediately accessible; you have to follow their lead and put in a bit of graft. Maybe that’s why you get the impression that The Ghears consider themselves to be outsiders; but either way, the lack of delusions of grandeur just adds to their charm. After all, outsiders or not, it’s always worth having a punt on the underdog.
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