Crystal Stilts / The Bats / Comet Gain
Date: 22 May 2009
"The Brooklyn five-piece had the audience simultaneously tapping their feet and nodding their heads to their post-punk, bassy sounds."
Dorothy Pickard
Friday evening and I find myself observing the ICA's pre-gig crowd of 20-60 year olds, eagerly lingering in anticipation of the three bands, an air of real excitement. No angry youth. This reflected the range of musical references throughout the evening, spanning back to the mid-sixties.
It seemed that six of the coolest teachers had been plucked out of a London staff room and loaded with instruments when Comet Gain arrived on stage. Their music was a distant recall of northern soul. They were not a band I'd listen to from choice, although it was nonetheless an interesting experience to see them live. It was refreshing to see a band that clearly had a young following and weren't five tall indie boys dressed in trilbies. With as many girls as boys and a few quirky instruments, including maracas, the band were undeniably original. However, this originality was counteracted by the lead, David Feck's never-ending-seeking-to-be-eighteen-again-rock-and/or-roll guitar solo, which even the other band members grimaced at. Despite my misgiving, the audience seemed to really enjoy their music, and considering they were the first act, you just had to see how jam-packed the room was to figure out their popularity.
The Bats were a band of New Zealand oldies, who simply played bloody good music. Having since listened to The Bats online, I've grown to like them even more, especially the song Crimson Enemy which was appreciated by all live. It became evident that the crowd knew them well, shouting out song names, which incredibly, they then played. One man completely got into his groove and was thrashing about. There was nothing to complain of; the music put that horribly embarrassing grin on your face that is followed by severe self-consciousness and worked perfectly as a support act. It didn't steal the show but provided half an hour of good, folk-rock music. By 10pm we were all more than ready for the Brooklyn boys (and girl) to come on stage. No one moved in-between acts, longing for them to wow the crowd, an immense understatement of what they did.
Before Crystal Stilts' nonchalant appearance, the audience were shuffling and looking towards the stage, distracted from the conversations they were having, in preparation for what was to come. As the heavy wall of noise echoed from the smooth bass, guitar and melancholy vocals, the Brooklyn five-piece had the audience simultaneously tapping their feet and nodding their heads to their post-punk, bassy sounds. The vocals of Brad Hargett were one long tuneful blur of a deep murmur. I didn't get a single word, but still they had a sound that was reminiscent of Joy Division, Interpol, The Doors and Velvet Underground. Hargett's tall and straight stance reinforced these references. Their drummer, Frankie Rose, former member of Vivian Girls, played without any symbols or a snare drum; fitting perfectly with the bass' melody. Within seconds of the first song kicking off, I was completely lost (despite the cliché), as was everyone else, in their brilliant music. The second song Love is A Wave made me absolutely swoon; the bass gets you in your stomach and insides, and builds up a mad sense of emotion and excitement. They are the embodiment of cool. The type of cool which is slightly annoying leading to doubt your own coolness! The stilts that this band stand on are definitely made of something stronger than crystal.
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