Are THE PADDINGTONS the new Libertines? This seemed to be the buzz that seems to be generated around this new up and coming band who’ve opened for Har Mar Superstar and have had Bez do his cosmic dance at one of their sets.
This was this writer's first time at the 100 club: a pretty impressive venue reeking with musical history, the Stones, the Sex Pistols and just about everybody else having played there, and loads of personality from random dodgy old heavy metal buckle wearing has beens to young indie kids looking like mini Johnny Borrells and mini Kate Mosses. Tonight three other bands supported the Paddingtons: The Blue Van, Vanlustbadder and The IV'S.
Sadly I did not get to the club in time to catch the The Blue Van (sorry guys!! Maybe I can make it up to you one day, let me know when you're next in town). But what I thought was the libertine resemblance for the night was the second band Vanlustbadder (I am guessing its some Dutch guys surname). A melodic dark rock band with elements of punk and electro. The singer and other band member appeared to be under some influence, and were completely out of it: unless of course that's the look they were going for.
Even if they all could barely stand, they were impressive. What I heard was entertaining songs and likable hardcore electro-rocky riffs; predictable enough, but they maintained this decadent and in your face cool edge, which I found the other bands, lacked. Compared to The Paddingtons, who looked more like hippy band the Delays and The IV's were like Oasis (in their on-going current iffy era - not pre 95) in Kasabian’s clothes and the Blue Van, well I have no clue what they looked like.
The IV's followed, lacking any merit. They weren't remotely entertaining, the songs blending into Northern rock mediocriocy without any distinctive sound or lyric. Apparently they have been around for a while, maybe the rock n’ roll lifestyle is taking its' toll on them and they should take a rest and recharge.
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And finally our reason for being here tonight: THE PADDINGTONS: another new band that’s seemingly gonna make it big, another band verging on the fringes of superstardom. They are five young, cherubic looking lads from Hull, with a don’t-give-a-shit attitude. Their sound is death disco late seventies punky nostalgia. Songs varied from rocky psychedelic to pure pop sensitivity. Their performance was sweaty but heartfelt and intimate with the audience. Girls and boys in the audience clearly could not resist the band’s sexual charms and climbed on stage at the set's close, only to be pulled away by the security guard (very Wembley Stadium behaviour, for such a small venue).
It is rumoured Alan Mcgee saw them live once and signed them on the spot, hich in turn led them to recording with ex-Oasis producer Owen Morris. They have previously toured heavily with Babyshambles, but now headline chaotically, but still convincingly enough.
The show coincided with the release of the band's new single ‘Panic Attack’ which features blissful lyrics such as ‘You wanna die? Go on commit suicide’. Charming. At the end of the day The Paddingtons are yet another new band that’s gonna make it big, another band verging on the fringes of superstardom, who have hit the Top 30 for the first time as I write. They sound like they'll make the most of their fifteen minutes.
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