First up were the Sulk. The post Madchester spirit is certainly alive with this five piece – in terms of funky swagger, dress and appearance. The singer was quite aware of this making an gag that they would be playing Sproston Green next (but then they’d need a keyboardist). I personally wouldn’t make the comparison with the Charlatans, however there was definitely a recollection of Molly Half Head (*1) in their sound, while the track ‘Flowers’ had an Inspiral Carpets feel to it, again sans keyboard. The baggy vibe permated the full set showcasing some lively guitar hooks and some danceable elements from the rhythm section (well, for those young enough to dance). Unfortunately not good enough to utilise the ‘What’s green and appears supporting Exit Calm at the Borderline?’.. ‘The incredible Sulk’ but entertaining enough.
Exit Calm then took to the stage, opening up with ‘You’ve Got It All Wrong’ from their eponymous 2010 debut album. The band specialise in epic, sweeping soundscapes which unexpectedly (and fortunately) worked very well even in this small-ish venue. As you would expect with a Club AC30 band, effects pedals were very much in evidence, but Nicky Smith’s confidently soaring vocals put the emphasis on rock as opposed to producing an overly ethereal feeling. You know that you are in the presence of a Northern English band, one that knows what it wants to do and perhaps won’t be distracted by what the media wants a band to become. The sound is a happy ménage a trois between Kevin Shields era Primal Scream, Puressence and The Music.
The 8 song set featured a mix of tracks from the album and presently unrecorded material, with a view to promoting the current single ‘The Rapture’ – a gritty slab of driving rock n roll – and hopefully a second long player that isn’t too far away. Throughout the volume was kept high and the band appeared to be enjoying putting in an incendiary performance in front of the packed crowd. There seemed to be a confidence in the quality of the songs and their delivery, even to the extent that it was announced mid-set that there would be no encore. Some of those in attendance were surprised when this inevitably did not happen, but Exit Calm had climbed the heights during set closer ‘Hearts and Minds’ that any reappearance may have resulted in an anti-climax.
On a night when, by and large, the Brits had celebrated what is mediocre in music at present, it was refreshing to see a largely unrecognised band demonstrating that well structured songs and powerful performances are still there if you scratch the surface.
Alex
(*1) I subsequently discovered that Molly Half Head’s first album is called ‘Sulk’ – surely no coincidence.
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Club AC 30 has built up quite a reputation over the last few years, putting out records by the likes of Ringo Deathstarr, Air Formation and the Megaphonic Thrift. Having been a fan of the early '90s 'shoegaze' scene with Chapterhouse, Ride, My Bloody Valentine et al, this stuff is right up my street, so it's fair to say I was looking forward to seeing Exit Calm bring their distorted guitar pop to the Borderline.
But first up tonight we've support band Sulk, building squalls of hazy guitar sounds into some sharp pop tunes. I’ve heard nothing of the band before tonight, but there are some great songs here, this isn't a band that hides a lack of tunes and song writing behind a wall of guitar effects.
The lead singer seems to tread just the right side of the cocky arrogance of a Gallagher or an Ian Brown (not to mention having a brilliant 'Clint Boon circa 1990' bowl haircut). The Borderline is pretty full for a support band and as they leave the stage to warm approval, it's fair to say we're left wanting to hear more from Sulk.
Exit Calm take to the stage and launch into 'Youve Got It All Wrong', from their self titled first album. Tonight is about showcasing the new material they've been working on since that nearly three year old release, but with the enthusiastic, partisan crowd the band know they need to throw in the older stuff as well.
Exit Calm are allowed to be pretty loud tonight, which is not always the case at the Borderline, the incendiary guitar driving the songs on. It's probably too lazy to characterise the band as 'shoegazers', they share as much with the harder-edged sounds of the Jesus and Mary Chain and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club as they do with the former Scene That Celebrated Itself. Interestingly, both bands tonight opt for the lead singer who just sings, rather than combining guitar and vocal duties, and it pays off in terms of the extra stage presence that an out-and-out rock front man can provide.
The packed venue are lapping this up, with new single 'The Rapture' going down a storm, which is why it's a bit of a disappointment the band don't play an encore. Was that due to venue curfew time? Certainly the lights remain down for some time after they leave the stage, so someone in the venue clearly thought they might come back. Its not the end of the world as we make it in time for last orders in the pub, but its fair to say I'd rather have seen another 10 minutes of Exit Calm than glug beer in the Montague Pike...
Matt @mjcartledge
