Rock and Pop: CAMDEN CRAWL 2010 - Reviews - Chew Lips, Midnight Juggernauts, Teenage Fan club, Gang of Four, The Jim Jones Revue + various
Published: 6 May 2010
MIDNIGHT JUGGERNAUTS - KOKO - (Sunday)
If a 1970s prog-rock band were demonically possessed by the spirit of Ashes to Ashes-era David Bowie, it would sound something like Midnight Juggernauts. The Australian three-piece's spacey, synthy songs matched the unearthly stage lighting, with a big sound that at times verge on the ponderous. Highlights were Shadows and closer Into The Galaxy, which was surely written to be played as the last sunshine disappears over a festival field.
CHEW LIPS - THE BLACK CAP (Sun)
If 2009 was supposed to be the year for girl-fronted electronic groups, nobody told Chew Lips or the queues outside the Black Cap. Their simple but effective electro-pop sparkled like glitter, and singer Tigs brought charisma and maybe just a hint of melancholy. With songs like Solo, Two Years and Gold Key they're surely set for bigger stages – good news for those not lucky enough to squeeze in here.
SURFER BLOOD - UNDERWORLD (Sun)
A buzz has built around young Florida band Surfer Blood, but on the strength of this show it's not really obvious why. Their guitar-heavy college rock was amiable, a bit like Weezer and easy to imagine on a road movie soundtrack, but hardly revolutionary. Still, they seemed like nice guys and their easy-going rockers like Swim inspired cheers, a couple of stage invaders, and an enthusiastic welcome for singer John Paul Pitts' crowd surf finale.
THE JIM JONES REVUE - PURPLE TURTLE (Sun)
The Jim Jones Revue don't so much breathe new life into rock and roll, as fry its corpse with electricity until it stomps smouldering from the stage.
They exploded into the Purple Turtle with such frenzied guitars, thundering drums and killer piano that the dodgy mic didn't matter at all.
Songs like Big Hunk O'Love and Burning Your House Down could have scuttled out of the swamps of 1950s America to thrill teenagers and terrify their parents. Only the London accent between songs was a reminder that we were in NW1, not a Tennessee roadhouse. Like Jon Spencer and Rocket From the Crypt before them, they seem the heirs apparent of rock and roll. Truly awesome.
ALAN STAFFORD
TEENAGE FAN CLUB - KOKO
Indie heroes weren't helped by the awful sound quality in Koko. For a band whose lyricism and complex sounds are their strengths, that's a problem.
MALE BONDING - DINGWALLS
Took full advantage of Saturday's late night set to electrify a home town crowd, turning their sound up to 11 and generally rocking out. Late night thrash joy.
YOUNG MARBLE GIANTS - UNDERWORLD
The influential Welshmen looked oddly shy in front of a small crowd, reading from song sheets and engaging in quiet chat with us. May be well into middle age but Alison Statton's voice is as subtle and clear as ever. This was a small pleasure, out of place in Underworld's dingy interior.
GANG OF FOUR - ELECTRIC BALLROOM
The Northern Marxists have lost two members since their heyday, but none of their energy. Frontman Jon King retains his furious intensity, swinging his baseball bat as impromptu percussion and leaping around the stage like a madman. The only band I saw of whom an encore was demanded by a chanting & fired up crowd. THE BEST
RICHARD WELBIRG