Postcards From Places That Don't Exist + Treehouse + Reckless + Sammi Ingamells |
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| @ Duke of Wellington
23 July 2010
Photos & Review by Pete |
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Going to a gig at the Duke and it's not dark, not raining or snowing and it's not freezing cold. All a bit
The punk-chic pink and black styling of Reckless, next up, was apparently in response
Treehouse had the biggest following, maybe fifty fans pushing up to show support. I was checking them out on Myspace several weeks ago and came across their thrillingly lovely song 'Not A Home' which promptly became one of my faves of this year. Full of epic sweep I was nervously excited at the prospect of hearing it played live. I was so keen I would probably have rioted if they hadn't played it but they saved it till the end, so although I was a bit agitated thinking it had been insanely overlooked they at least had a go at it. For a band built on harmonies and an almost evangelical soft-rock sound it was in fact the moments of intensity - big complex chords on the keyboard, frantic guitar playing and fervour in the drumming that enabled the music to shake off the band's inherent niceness and get the noisy crowd to shut up. Afterwards I saw they did well enough to sell some CDs and have new fans keen enough to be asking about the band's tour itinery in the hope of seeing them play again soon.
Headliners Postcards From Places That Don't Exist, reviewed here recently, should have sky high c
Cheers to all the bands and the promotions people for a treat of a summer night's music.
Some more photos at www.shinephoto.plus.com website. |
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Band Websites: |
Postcards From Places That Don't Exist |
odd. Even if it is July those conditions always seem to be the prevailing gig going conditions in Lincoln. More disconcerting was to find myself welling up a bit as opener Sammi Ingamells bounced on to the stage and claimed it as her own straight from the off with her first big, bold, brash number. She previously impressed several months ago at an open mic night at Kind bar, supporting Luke Leighfield. And while she still can't play the guitar very well I've got to say, and I can't explain it, but now I definitely prefer it that way. And all would be forgiven anyway with that killer bossy-girl vocal, loaded with the sheer pleasure at performing her own material. Even if it had been chucking it down with icy hail combined with lightning directly overhead it would have still been worth risking pneumonia and electrification to get to the Duke in time to catch this.
to a music college tutor's advice that a band needs a theme. Discuss. Another girl singer and, like buses, just when you've waited ages for one good one, another remarkably good one comes along. This time metal riffs (two six string electric guitars) and bruising drum-work, (no bass), contrasted with a silky smooth vocal showing impressive composure. Expressing more through a disciplined performance and restraint rather than giving-it-everything-including-the-kitchen-sink - and with no phoney X-factor gimmickry either - this was compelling. The body language hinted at nerves but the vocal was untroubled, solid gold - and confident enough never to feel the need to compete with the guys in the band. Their musicianship was high, especially the guitars but for me the set was heavy with covers and mostly risk-lite. Late in the set there was a bit of feedback trying to kick in and the sudden interesting tension of handling that suggested this band might be playing it too safe and settling for 'very good' rather than 'great'. The cover with the backing vocal rap could have been a fail but instead it was a high point, good decision. With the heavyweight playing and classy late-Texas Spiteri vocal I'm not 
sure how this band manages to work all so they're doing something right.
onfidence since their acclaimed sets at The Cavern in Liverpool recently, when invited to appear as part of the Pop Overthrow event. But it's still early days and they are clearly still working on the sound since I last saw them at The Treaty of Commerce earlier this year. While they are still bass-driven by some seriously accomplished playing on that instrument the lead guitar work is starting to impose itself a bit more, cautiously at times but in one or two songs it was pivotal in cranking up the set. Vocalist James may be taking his inspiration from 60's English pop but there is a heavier rock sound emerging around him. The ambition is still to deliver catchy tunes and that they can do. This page was last updated Saturday, 24 July 2010
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