Unfortunately we arrive too late to see THE HOKUM CLONES, which is a damn shame after hearing their brilliant debut double a-side, 'Breakin' from a Jailhouse Blues'/ 'You ain't a foolin' me' on Rough Trade's 'For Us' imprint. Done in the style of Robert Johnson's old acoustic blues, retaining the authentic lo fi ambience of the small town saloon/barbershop ; a scouse Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. I've seen them once before in the flesh when they joined The Coral onstage during an encore for a raucous
singalong rendition of 'Rock Island Line'. They're about to go on tour supporting fellow cosmic scousers 'The Stands' so catch them if you can.
We do arrive in time to see a fine performance from THE BANDITS before they depart for T in the Park. Perhaps the most subtle and straightforard of the so called cosmic scousers, their's is a more traditional and retrospective sound than that of their other 'Bandwagon' peers. It's not difficult to see why they've attracted the attention of such rock n' roll luminaries as Noel
Gallagher! And they have the knack of writing upbeat and immediate sub three minute giutar pop tunes as well as psychadelic, reggae flavoured and largely freeform 10 to 15 minute jams.
There are obvious comparisons to be made to The Coral and The La's but that's not to say it doesn't sound good, and who could argue with the summary spliff pop magificence of latest
release 'Take it and run' which is second only tonight to the urgency of epic first single 'The Warning'. Rollin', rollin', rollin' these boy's will keep on rollin'. There's an album out soon that's sure to please.....
Freshly buoyed by their triumphant Glastonbury performance THE POLYPHONIC SPREE are well on their way to becoming household names!!! apparently sales of their records have doubled since their well publicised appearance at Pilton. Having heard only a couple of their songs and not being impressed enough to buy their album I'm here more out of curiousity than musical appreciation. However a band that has upto 28 members at any one time who all wear the same red or white tunics and write all their tunes about the
sun is bound to attract an inquisitive and naturally suspecting audience. I mean, they're all from Texas; George Bush territory; the word 'Waco' ( or Whacko! ) readily springing to mind!!!! Who knows what the score is is with these dudes?
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For the first 10 minutes I can't stop myself from laughing such is the enthusiasm and devotion to the music and their religious fervour and fanaticism, it has to be seen to be believed. It is without shadow of doubt that the Nazarene doth walk amongst them and upon succumbing to the undeniable urge to smile sends down his rays of sunshine in answer to their songs of praise.
Visually stunning and sonically soaring, the Spree owe a large debt to fellow 'madsters' The Flaming Lips and Mercury Rev for
the offbeat and skewed perspective but by their sheer number put their own stamp on the 'sound'. They have a full complement of brass, a harp, lap steel, pedal steel, numerous organs, strings , a choir and traditional rock accompaniment. A slightly off kilter Spiritualized maybe! Most importantly they have a leader not afraid to lead from the front with often spectacular and rib tickling results.
The influence of The Beatles 'Sgt Peppers' and Pink Floyd are in there to be heard, as is Ziggy Stardust era Bowie who they
honour with a frantic version of 'Five Years'. The highlight of the show is new single 'Soldier Girl' from their bestselling album which come its release is sure to get them even more exposure for what seems to be an everlasting tour for eternity!
I'm left exhilerated and highly entertained , not everyone shares our humourous interpretation of events but it wouldn't do if we were all the same now, would it? This was as uplifting an experience that anyone could hope for when going out to a gig , everyone was touched by their overwhelming feelings of happiness and left with a warm glow and a smile as they gently floated off into the night ( even if they still might not buy their album ). Praise be, to The Polyphonic Spree! Amen
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