Calva Louise - The Prince Albert, Brighton 13-3-19

Calva Louise popped up on my radar last year after seeing their name about often in glowing terms and so I investigated their singles and discovered another hugely exciting new band. They announced they were playing Brighton around the same time they dropped the album Rhinoceros - an album which sits unchallenged as my favourite of the year so far - and I resolved immediately that I was going.
I went into this gig with genuine excitement and no little anxiety - how would they come across live, and have I dragged my mate to something he'll hate? The Prince Albert was almost deserted on arrival, which kind of contradicted my comments about how they should be playing somewhere bigger -even suggesting The Haunt.
Opening act Short People came on and delivered their brand of Small Faces meets Brit Pop to a building crowd that greeted them warmly but it was semi local (Hastings) band Kid Kapichi that shifted things up a gear, bringing with them a sizeable following. It's hard to place their sound but it's somewhere between Punk and '70s Rock - a bit like early Manic Street Preachers. By the end of their set the room was packed and you feel feel the excitement building.
Shortly before Calva Louise were due the photographers appeared, a sure sign of a band with forward momentum and the room was now getting very hot - full as it was now.
Then the lights dipped, the music faded out to be replaced with the Countdown 30 second clock. A perfect way to increase the anticipation before the band hit the stage and launched straight in to I'm Gonna Do Well - a statement of intent if ever there was one. Jess and Alizon bounced around the stage and the sheer enjoyment both on and off the stage was unavoidable. Outrageous followed and the crowd went with it. Between songs Jess chatted away about the tour so far and what some of the songs meant. Moments of calm  before they launched into the next number. There's no doubt that Jess is a remarkably charismatic presence in stage. Her distinctive vocals never faltered no matter how much she careered around the stage, screamed or thrashed at her guitar. Alizon and her would occasionally face off like in some ritual challenge before wheeling away in unison, all whilst drummer Ben keeps everything tight. Almost the entire album was played before a rousing Getting Closer finished the show. Everyone had thoroughly enjoyed themselves but they were out of songs by now and it was time to unplug and pack away. In the midst of this the crowd broke into a chant of 'one more song'. 'Are you sure?' asked Jess before the band nervously looked at each other, laughed and committed themselves. Picking back up their instruments and plugging back in the treated us to an improvised rendition of long retired song Eleanor -  a cracking track in itself and apparently the only other song they know.

And with that they really were done. All that was left was to swing by the merch and picked up a copy of the comic book - apparently all Jess's work too. I got there to discover Alizon on the desk who promptly insisted I have a signed poster too and he dragged the others over to complete the set. They all stayed and chatted and a good 20 minutes was spent chatting with them all - it seemed the band enjoyed this show as much as we did.
We all agreed they should play Brighton again. I fully expect that to be a bigger venue next time!
The only downside was all my photos came out pretty blurred but I won't be forgetting this one any time.

Calva Louise have raised the bar high for gigs for the rest of the year and staked their challenge for my favourite new band. They're looking tough to beat right now. I too think they're gonna do well.

December 2018 - Melt Dunes, The DSM IV and Pop Will Eat Itself

MELT DUNES

December had 3 gigs lined up and first of was Melt Dunes at the Hope & Ruin. I'd seen Melt Dunes before and didn't care for them but it was Londoners Ghum in support I wanted to see. Unfortunately, it conflicted with a show at Sticky Mike's which had both Gloo and Five Kites that I also wanted to go to but in the end I was too tired and didn't go to either.

THE DSM IV

Gig number 2 at the Prince Albert, I was not going to miss though. The DSM IV are the latest project of former Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster frontman Guy McKnight. I arrived just in time to see Strange Cages for the second time and I still can't say they do anything for me. Their particular brand of  '60s psyche rock and Hawkwind stylings  not quite cutting it for me.

The DSM IV took to the stage to complete silence, the audience appearing to be here more out of curiosity than expectation. Whereas Eighties Matchbox were an energetic and frenzied live act, this was a much more sedate affair. A sparse drum machine in the background and a slow but hypnotic opener set the mood for the evening with Guy seemingly on edge and ready to explode in rage. He called to the audience to 'come on', prowled the stage like a caged tiger and frequently wandered among the crowd looking like he might attack someone at any minute. At one point a he flung a plastic bottle at a couple who seemed more into their conversation than watching a band. There was a brief thank you for coming out at one point and a warmer reception for debut single Racist Man, but no big finale or old hits. A band to watch certainly, and Guy still has that dangerous aura around him but the band it seems has a much more considered approach.

POP WILL EAT ITSELF

'80s Grebo faves PWEI were back in town and delivered exactly what one would expect. A set full of fan favourites, a couple off their more recent albums, a lively audience and Utah Saints DJ'ing as a warm up. Had the band lost their edge yet? Not a chance. As they've aged and since Mary Byker has been in the band they've only gotten more political and angrier. It may still seem odd to have Clint Mansell missing but he's too busy writing hugely acclaimed soundtracks for Hollywood movies, and Mary is about as perfect a replacement as you could wish for. His presence and stage craft maybe stronger than other vocalist Graham's in the same way Clint's was, but like Clint, he always makes sure to never take over too much.  It may be that the hits have dried up and they are even more at odds with current musical trends than ever before but it's easy to underestimate how quietly influential they were. As if to underline this point, their final song last night was Their Law, their collaboration with The Prodigy from Music For The Jilted Generation. A song that seemed to set them template for both acts and had they not split up in 1996 they could have sat alongside The Prodigy as Industrial Dance music champions.  

That just leaves one last gig for the year - All Better's Britney Spears covers night at the final ever Sticky Mike's show