If you are expecting a review with setlists and anorak type facts, you have come to the wrong fella. Having said that, here goes with a quick review of a great night out!
We picked up Jimmy and Steffi from Brentford and headed for the bright lights of Brighton. Four of us in my Astra estate that doubles as a recycling bin full of water bottles and cans under the seats which jangle together as you go around a corner and crackle underfoot as you jostle for space in the rear seats. I managed to cut up a twat in a Mercedes convertable on the M23 which gave me great pleasure and seemed rather fitting whilst on the way to a gig! Up yours you rich bastard!!
We arrived in Brighton at about 6pm. London Road is a strange mix of places and people. Lots of chav types in hoodies with Staffies or Pitbulls on a lead. The mild sense of threat from the locals who didn't seem used to tourists. Especially those that can afford a iPhone and had the gall to use it in public! Roamed up and down London road looking for somewhere to pee, eat, watch footie and drink! Got down to the Hobgoblin which promised a hearty fare of pub grub. Went to the bar to order only to find out food service shuts at 7pm! Yaboo sucks to you, Hobgoblin! Although it has to be said... I wouldn't say no to being offered a gig there!
Back up the London road and settled into the Circus Circus for some nice Thai food. It's just across the road from The Hydrant. The scene of tonight's debauchery! I had a very nice Thai Red Chicken Curry.
Over the road now to the main business of the night. The gig put on by Spinning Chilli productions featuring The Fallen Leaves and ASBO Derek. One has to wonder if the Fallen Leaves get fed up of being billed as 'Ex Subway Sect'?? But that is an aside...
The venue is a strange labyrinth of a place on many levels. An internal step up to the bar and stage area necessitated a quick bump up with the wheelchairs. And no wheelchair loo! Come on Hydrant! Have you not heard of the DDA? Having said that. There is plenty of room to move about and we seemed to fit in with the demographic of the assembled masses. 40 and 50 somethings out for a night of booze, chat and some hip daddyo music.
I was unaware of the work of ASBO Derek before tonight but was more than pleasantly surprised. A most unlikely bunch of individuals you ever expect to see onstage. Before they went on, they just blended in with the crowd. Onstage it was 'Susan Boyle on drums', a guitarist that you would probably never believed she played guitar let alone played in a band if you saw her in the street. The vocalist and bassist both sporting hair slides in the closely shawn hair. They launch into their set. Solid three chord melodies, low key bass, basic 4/4 tempos and the most entertaining lyrics I have heard in a long time. I am sorry if you expect more detail on the content but I am not that type of guy!
They touched on subjects as wide ranging as The Home Secretary, Hairdressers, Stationery Catalogues, Three Wishes before you die and Bridget Bardot. As each song was performed I warmed to them even more. I love their quirkyness and total rejection of everything everyone expects of live music and of a band out on the circuit! I part with three quid after their set and buy their extended EP CD which was played to death on the way home.
It is difficult to understand why The Fallen Leaves are still playing gigs in the free admission end of the market. I would easily place them in a bigger venue the size of - I dunno - Brixton 02 and expect to pay 20 quid to see them. I would part with that amount gladly! Having said that, it is a testament to Shelley and Phil from Spinning Chilli Productions for managing to attract such a big hitter from the big smoke down to Brighton on a Saturday night to play to 100+ people. And more power to them! Long may it continue! It means I get to find a clear view of the band next to the speakers!
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The Fallen Leaves turn up late without a soundcheck - something about Rob and his day job. Anyway they set up in record time and get a reasonable sound from the resident sound engineer. A young bloke showing half a yard of underpants out of the top of his jeans. So much so that Siby (my ever patient partner) remarking that she was tempted to rush up behind him and give him a wedgie!
Looking cool as fuck, Rob adopts his onstage persona in front of the mic and they launch into it. Tweed jackets, dress shirts, waistcoats, cravats... I am suddenly transported back to a seedy club in the west end in the sixties! But there is nothing old skool about their sound. If you must ask for references... I hate to pigeonhole any band. Just the same as I wouldn't want to be pigeonholed myself.
Anyway allow me to try to describe them in words you might identify with... Wilco Staccato Guitar meets Jangling Weller in the Rickenbacker/Jam days. 'What a waster' by the Libertines... The Who... 13 Floor Elevators... PJ Proby. I hope the parallels don't offend the band? Rob stops for a nice cup of tea from a flask half way through. A comment on the length of the guitar solo maybe? Or perhaps just a sign of all our advancing years? I wish I had a spare cup as a nice drop of Camomile Tea would have gone down a treat.
The Leaves do a great set which was only marred slightly by the inexperience of the sound guy who decided to turn it up half way through to compensate for Rob's little Fender Blues Deluxe which dominated the room! They treat us to a new song which borrows the intro of 'Boredom' by The Buzzcocks. They finish with 'Trouble' and the gig is over as quickly as it started. These guys were easily the best live act I have seen in a very very long time. And this is not brown nosing because I want a support slot for my own band. If they put us on, they put us on. If they don't, whateve's!!! These guys are the new Sultans of Cool! There I have said it. I make a vain attempt to smooze the band and raise the profile of my own ramshackle bunch of misfits but it all seems fruitless and pointless after watching such a brilliant band in a great setting!
Back up the M23 and time for the obligatory post-gig postmortem. The general consensus in the car is that The Fallen Leaves looked cool as fuck and the bubble was burst slightly when they changed out of their stage clothes. Siby thought that had some sort communal dressing up box. The rest of us disagreed and resolved that Hush Puppies were once again cool! Just arrive in the gear and leave in the same gear guys! The public has spoken!
I am still on a natural high from last night. Long may it continue. I am off to buy their back catalog from iTunes!
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