Scene Report: Bristol April 2008
By: Sian Norris
It's been a long time; I shouldn't have left you, but welcome back to your monthly round up of all the great and good music that's been happening in Bristol over the last few months.
March began with the glorious return to live gigs of Bristol band Sexy Bitch. Not narcissists, this band's moniker comes from the Siberian husky dog you often see walking up and down Bristol's famous Gloucester Road. The band have been away for a while, since original drummer Jimmy left, but have made a fabulous comeback to Bristol's live music scene of late, complete with new drummer Nicky Leyland.
I caught up with them in April to see how things were going with new songs, a new band member and a new optimism.
Sexy Bitch started with singer/guitarist Rob Griggs and bassist Mark Kempt having enough of their respective bands, and deciding to play together instead. They started writing songs together, neither taking it particularly seriously; penning the song 'This is our Pornography'. It wasn't long before Jimmy joined in as the drummer, and the guys were asked to play a mate's birthday party. From there, the band was born.
"I don't think any of us took it very seriously," explains Rob. "We just want to play songs we like to our mates."
"I don't think any band wants to get signed less than us!", enjoins Mark.
The songs they played were well received though, and more gigs started to come their way. They specialised in writing catchy tunes that got people dancing and singing along, with tight musicianship and commanding stage presence.
"Jimmy was a brilliant drummer," explains Mark. "All we had to do was play a song once through, and he would know it, straight away."
From a three piece, Mark's sister Sarah Jane joined the band, playing the Korg and singing backing to Mark and Rob. The introduction of the Korg in to the mix allowed the band to make the most of their pop and electro influences. Yet due to personal differences, Jimmy left the band and moved out of Bristol, causing the 'Bitch to take a break, find a new drummer and re-launch. They quickly found Nicky, and I asked him how he felt about joining the Bitch.
"It's really amazing, I'm really enjoying it," he enthuses. "I'm lapping it up."
The rest of the band echoes that excitement.
It's been really good having Nicky join us," explains Rob. "We've got some new songs."
"And they're all really good!" Mark chips in. "We've also bought in some new songs that we hadn't been doing anything with, so we just started jamming and making them in to something."
"We've been trying new things," explains Rob. "For example, we've been working on a song with no guitars in it."
"In some ways, it's like we're a different band," enjoins Mark. "We don't play a lot of the old songs."
A lot of this has to do with the departure of Jimmy.
"I think before we relied on Jimmy being a really really good drummer," says Rob. "We used to sit back and never bother doing anything, and Jimmy could carry the song. And now we really have to raise our game!"
Nicky pulls a mock offended face, but admits he knows what Rob means.
"It was the case that because Jimmy was the best musician, you'd start doing something and then he'd want to do something different," suggests Mark. "If we produced something mediocre then it would sound ok because Jimmy could make it work."
"Now that Nicky's here, we're better for it," explains Rob. "We all work a lot harder to sound really good."
"It's more of an equal input now," Sarah Jane adds. "It's meant there is a lot more variety in the songs."
Last year Sexy Bitch released a successful EP, and plan to follow this up now with some more recording, releasing a new EP this summer.
"Depends how much money we've got though," muses Rob. "We've got to cover the catering costs!"
There's also a lot more gigs lined up, with hopes to play the capital, and a very special Arcadia Sound Systems meets Chicks with Decks gig later on in the year.
It's a new direction for the band, and one that is definitely getting people excited.
The gig at Espionage at the Cooler fulfilled expectations inspired by the interview. Tight on stage, with exciting new tracks that are really playing up to a heightened electronic sound, with floor fillers 'This is my Pornography'" sounding as bouncy and enthusiastic as ever.
Headlining the night was Betamaxx, who have been making waves across Bristol lately, and who I also saw in March at newest hot spot Start the Bus. Famed for the song 'Sex Disco', they work the aesthetic of nu-rave with a loud, thrashing guitar and emo vocals. They're interesting to watch, and the songs are catchy as rabies (you'll be singing along to 'Sex Disco' before you know it). And it leads to an interesting game - name as many varieties of sex discos you can think of. Answers on a (virtual) postcard.
Easter weekend saw the Big Ting reunion of Jay le Surgeon, Bass Clef and Puffin Jack; with Carnage and Peverelist playing the 'Dubstep not Dubstep' night at Tape, in Native. It was a night I'd been looking forward to for ages. I grew up clubbing to Jay and the Clef behind the decks, and it wasn't a disappointment. Some people don't like Native as a venue, but I have had a soft spot for it since seeing Carl Craig there a few years ago. It's a nice size with a good dance floor, delicious rum and an outside area for smoking.
Puffin Jack and Carnage started the night with a smooth mix of dub and minimal techno, warming the bar up with some lovely beats, before Jay le Surgeon hit the decks. It was lovely to see him playing the tunes he loves to an appreciative audience, bringing in hip hop, garage, dub and fun tunes. 'Witness Dub' (Roots Manuva) sounded lush - despite the idiot behind me yelling "Play the f**king tune" - obviously confusing Roots Manuva with a one hit wonder, I assume! Tubby T was up there, and a host of great stuff that got my hips shaking.
Then up came Bass Clef, playing a selection of bassy booty shaking tunes. Great to hear Sticky and Ms Dynamite played out again, along with the amazing Sticky and Stush tune, a few of his own hits and such seamless dj-ing - just perfect, really.
Peverelist wrapped the night up, pulling out some gorgeous dub step, including a good representation of Bristol dub steppers. He's been producing some gorgeous tunes with Appleblim, so keep an eye out.
March ended with Start the Bus, for Betamaxx and Agaskodo Teliverek. I really enjoyed the set by Agaskado - a cute Japanese girl and a group of geeky looking, athletic shorts wearing geniuses. Moving from lo fi guitar pop to heavier distortions, with amazing vocals, they were a revelation. Max Tundra joined the stage for a song, singing about being tall when he is small. They exuded a wicked energy on stage, full of an infectious hyperactivity that I've come to associate with Japanese sreech punk such as Melt Banana. Lovely.
April was a busy month, kicking off with the Turbowolf single launch at the Cooler.
First up on the bill were Countyside, back after spending some time recording, and they sounded as fresh and exciting as ever. There new song, 'Wanna be in a Band' is my current favourite, and was the last track in the set. It's hectic and loud, with a biting sense of humour, that makes me giggle and want to dance at the same time. Lovely.
Next up was Sexy Bitch, who again sounded on top form. You can really feel the transition they have made over the last year, bringing in new styles and experiments, without falling in to pretension or style over substance. The track with no guitars is absolutely massive, soaring and overwhelming, it was really exciting to hear. The set started with the ballads and a dedication to Mark's fiancee of 'Blue Tobias and the Hounds', then moved in to the dancier tracks, culminating in a visceral performance of 'This is our Pornography'. Love. It.
Turbowolf came on stage around midnight, and as usual put on a show. The combined energy of Chris G and Betty is intoxicating to the crowd, and their shouting and loud heavy style certainly has style to it. The only thing with Turbowolf is that whenever I see them, I leave the gig not remembering anything about the tunes. They have never seemed to me to write a song that is truly catchy and memorable. That said, they are technically great, and are so much fun to dance to when you're in the room with them. They also have a sheer determination that shines through their performance, so no real complaints. They do look cool too. In fact, visually, no one can really beat them.
Back from London (where I caught Bjork) and down to the Tube for another bit of Puffin Jack at We don't Play. The Puffin is definitely one of my favourite Bristol DJs - he judges the mood of the crowd really well, and you can tell that when he gets on the decks he is really playing music that he loves. The usual faces were out and about - China Mike, Jay le Surgeon and DJ InLove, as well as all the We Don't Play lot. A nice mix of techno and electro, nothing too hectic with beats to dance to, a pleasant night all round.
April ended with another gig from Countryside at the Cooler for Espionage, and it was another excellent show, thoroughly enjoyed it as ever! The only problem I did have was the fact the Cooler decided to show the 'Singing in the Rain' rape scene from A Clockwork Orange, which really was quite horrible to have to watch when you want to have a good dance. Still, Steve's vocals with Carvery harmonising, and Dan and JP on the drums was enough to calm me down, along with some great tunes from the Espionage folk on the decks, including 'Common People' by Pulp. Can't beat it!
Next month I'm off to see MSTRKRFT at Start the Bus, the Friendly Fires are playing with Crystal Castles at the Thekla, Glass Candy at the Croft. Then I'm off on holiday to NYC, so I'll try and bring you some gig news back from there...Til then!