Saturday, February 25, 2006

Ebeneezer Goode But Ivories Are So Much Better

The Ivories/The INKlings/Eight Legs, Birmingham Bar Academy, Tuesday February 22 2006.

That scuttling sound we hear turns out to be Eight Legs, who used to be Superheroes, but then, didn't we all? They come from the Shakespeare country of Stratford-upon-Avon so it's a case of from-bard-to-verse-chorus-verse when they launch with pleasing urgency into their mod-ish brand of 80s-influenced oc-rock. Not particularly original, then, but undeniably effective with at least three very strong songs to their name, although strangely their new single isn't one of them.

Sit down and have a think what The INKlings might sound like, and hope for something gloriously messy. Instead what we get is a polite, radio-friendly take on what a Heavy Metal Starsailor might sound like. Too bad for the highly-rated Birmingham hopefuls that your correspondent is old enough not to need a fact-checking cuz to remind him that we've already had Geddy Lee and his Rush once in our lifetime, which is more than enough for anyone, surely. But be warned, this might not stop them becoming as big and 'orrible as pre-Dakota Stereophonics.

The Ivories are supposed to be an all-girl band, but unless Dead Kenny is very much mistaken there's definitely a blerk up there slapping the bass. About to head back off to the box-office to claim 25% discount on my ticket when a chilling blast of debut single 'Reduce The Temperature' freezes your correspondent to the spot, transfixed by the gaze and snaky dance shapes of the lead singer Helena Gee (a magnetic combination of Joan Jett and Susanna Hoffs). All they need is another nine or ten songs nearly as good as that and they've got a killer album on their hands, but judging on tonight's show they're at best only halfway towards that goal and at this stage of their career support slots might be more appropriate than headlining. The Gee force is with them, however, so The Ivories look set to continue being worth hunting down.

7 Comments:

Blogger Ben said...

Your puns don't get any better, do they? But we keep coming back for more...

2:54 AM  
Blogger Dead Kenny said...

Yes, you're suckers for punishment, of that that there is no doubt.

12:52 PM  
Blogger Phill said...

It's like the group Client - who market themselves as a saucy female duo who dress as air hostesses. Yet when I saw them at glasto, a huge fat bloke was sitting at the back playing all the music. Funnily enough, he was never in any of their publicity photos. Needless to say, I left in disgust.

I like the Ivories - but not enough to go to Birmingham on a cold midweek night. If they played in Walsall just around the corner from my house, I might be tempted...

12:46 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Interestingly Eight Legs look to be the biggest band of the night.... ive just discovered they did diorhomme this winter:

www.fashion.dior.com ... wow... the rakes, razorlight and beck did it last.

And apparently theyve just signed a deal.

Hmmm... if the people who ive heard talking about this band are right... mr reviewer i dont think you wtached the first band and made up the typical opening abnd review.

www.myspace.com/eightlegs

10:40 PM  
Blogger Dead Kenny said...

Easy now tiger, do the phrases 'undeniably effective' and 'at least three very strong songs to their name' sound like criticism to you? Did I rate any of the three bands in terms of preference? Erm, no.

I don't always catch support bands, in which case I don't review them (very few people other than passionate 'casual observers' such as yourself would have noticed either way). I saw Eight Legs alright, enjoyed them up to a point and did a light-hearted capsule review for sake of time.

I'm not surprised they've signed a deal and genuinely wish them all the best. If the Parallax View review is the worst they ever get in their career then they will be truly blessed.

7:14 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

fair enough sir....

i take it youve now checked em out...

what day reckon?
x

1:39 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Christian Dior knows, don't argue!

9:18 PM  

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