The Water Rats is an unassuming venue just a stones throw away from London’s Kings Cross. It’s small, uninviting and doesn’t pander to the whims of anyone other than those who enjoy live music. But The Water Rats has a long and proud musical heritage and anyone worth their salt from Bob Dylan to Oasis has graced their tiny stage.
Tonight’s revelry begins with ANDREA WILDE. It’s tough being an opening act, even more so when everyone in the audience is a critic and more interested in getting served at the largely un-manned bar. But a thumping bass line, edgy uncomplicated guitar and a voice that dances around the room, serves to warn the gathered punters that Andrea means business. This girl has most definitely got the wow factor and it doesn’t take long before the background noise dies down and people start to take notice. Initially Andrea comes across as an uncompromising rocker, who can immediately command and conquer wherever she goes and ‘Going Down’ (announced with a cheeky laugh and all knowing smile) is testament to that. In fact it’s almost a bit too much in places but her voice…and what a voice…makes it all worth while. Capable of soaring from low aggressive growls to pitch perfect and gentle highs, all the while exuding a sexual energy that adds a deep rooted passion to her music; Andrea Wilde is in charge tonight.
Fast paced yet controlled and a rollercoaster of a pop punk vocal journey that is her forthcoming single ‘Stoner’ goes down as well as the pile of CD’s she’s selling. Leading the audience into a false sense of acoustic security Andrea picks up a guitar and in a softer than expected voice leads the band in ‘Let It Go’ but it doesn’t take long before the strong and building riffs and crashing drums once more compliment a piercing and breathtaking voice which continues on and into ‘Everybody Wants Some’. While the rest of the band jostle for stage Andrea stands firm, self assured in her own personal space. She looks like she owns the place and could eat you for breakfast and it’s hard not to believe her. As the short 30 minute set draws to a close there are shouts of more and for a brief moment it looks as if an encore on the cards, but unfortunately for all concerned the lights go up and Andrea disappears into the night.
Next up is the bizarrely named MONKEY SWALLOWS THE UNIVERSE; an eclectic Aladdin’s den of guitar, violin, cello, recorder, mouth organ and various other instruments thrown in for good measure. Unfortunately for them and despite the curious name, Andrea Wilde has set a high standard to follow and MSTU start like a primary school orchestra on a rainy summer’s day. Thankfully as the set progresses so does the performance and its not long until MSTU are skipping along quite nicely with beautifully crafted tunes such as ‘Science’ and ‘Florence’. With sounds reminiscent of Belle and Sebastian and The Weepies it’s sometimes hard to convey your message in a hot pub, but credit where credits due and despite an apparent shyness, they end up doing a good job.
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Be afraid…very afraid, LUPEN CROOK is in attendance. A quirky artist to say the least, Lupen Crook has the ability to play jarring and eerie music accompanied by a piercing tongue with sinister undertones. And tonight is no exception with dark tales and devilish meanings flowing freely from this particular hell raisers mouth. In the turn of an eye Lupen Crook can go from delicate finger picking to dark malevolence, weaving a deadly and poisonous web that is near impossible to escape from. His is a strange world and not one for the faint of heart. But stick with it and you might just learn something, even better, you might be pleasantly surprised.
CATHEAD aka Tim Phillips may be better known as co-writer of the theme tune for top TV series Shameless. Tonight he takes on the rough and raw persona that he is fast getting noticed for. A mix of easy going guitar with songs sung deep from the heart and that threaten to leave the young Canadian exposed. Cathead takes you on a highly personal yet universal journey encompassing love, life and everything in between. ‘Cowboy’, ‘Alcoholic’ and ‘Pictures’ are performed in a tailored way that is sensitive as much to the needs of the audience as to Cathead himself. And with a voice full of pain as much as it joy, who can resist Catheads charm.
If you’ve yet to experience a night at The Water Rats then its high time you caught up. But leave any reservations at the door because once inside you’re never quite sure what you might find and you might not want to leave.
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