Blue on Blue – Down At The Front

Bo Ningen and Race Horses

Paul Hudson — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 23:20:54 +0000

I saw Bo Ningen last week but I’d purchased this ticket for tonight’s gig at Hoxton Bar and Kitchen first. But because the gig at the Horn in St Albans is only a 10 minute drive from work, I thought I’d do both. Although good, I’d felt that with the small crowd and it being their first gig, it wasn’t as dynamic as some of their sets I’ve seen. Tonight’s set, saw them back to their best.

The evening started badly. Blue on Blue, who were last night’s support band, were also the support band tonight. I wasn’t impressed by them last night. They struck me as two music students who’ve spent too much time listening to Schoenberg who wanted to make electronic music using ‘prepared’ instruments but ultimately produced music that lacked personality. Hitting a guitar with screw driver, just didn’t work for me. Luckily tonight’s set seemed shorter.

The second support band, Race Horses were great. I’ve already seen Race Horses twice this year as headline acts and again tonight, they put in an excellent short set to an appreciative audience.

After a prolonged setup time and poor vocal levels during the first two songs, Bo Ningen eventually hit their stride. With a packed room and a more willing crowd and the advantage of having listened to their new album for the week. The songs seemed stronger and the band fully energised playing a more intense set than last week.

Savages

Paul Hudson — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 00:02:53 +0000

The Savages played their first gig at British Sea Power’s Krankenhaus 1 at the beginning of January and yet 8 months later they’ve already managed to secure a coveted slot on Jools Holland. I wasn’t at Krankenhaus 1, but I’d heard they were good. But despite this, Jools was the first time I’d heard any of their music. Within the first few bars of ‘Husbands’ I was hooked.

Tonight’s gig was an extra date at Electrowerkz, a ‘factory’ venue situated behind Angel tube. I believe it’s a goth club but it was the perfect venue for this gig with a dark industrial feel to it which suited the direct nature of the Savages music.

Tonight’s show was simply stunning. All I can say is the band are all extremely talented. I’ve seen the singer, Jehn before, as part of John and Jehn. Her persona in the Savages is completely different to the J&J days. Jehn’s singing is ferocious as it bludgeons it’s way through the wall of sound produced by the rest of the band. Every aspect of their performance is simply perfect. The guitar is heavily feedback laden and provides the starkness for the songs as it screeches and wails away. But the most surprising aspect was the rhythm section. The drummer and the bassist were simply stunning throughout the entire show. Together they’re the driving force behind all the songs.

Special mention to the lighting person, who did a fantastic job.

Blue on Blue

Savages