The Sea & Cake - London Underworld - 28/2/01
4/5
By: Toby L
Rough Trade is celebrating its 25th anniversary. This has been shown in the form of exclusive merchandise, a 4-CD compilation of the record label's finest moments, plus over twelve London shows, demonstrating the best in alternative music. On sale at the sold out concert tonight are Rough Trade magazines, packaged in 7" sleeves, containing interviews with the main-man behind the empire (Geoff Travis, previously interviewed on rockfeedback) and a free cassette, displaying over 20 original singles from the label's early beginnings. Along with this, you're treated to a random vinyl from the Trade's archive. All for the princely sum of £3.00.
And such is the essence of the company, which first made its name during the punk era in the late 70s and early 80s: a quality, but edgy-enough-to-be-hip sound. This suits the atmosphere tonight. Pram are a slightly quirky addition to the underground, avant-garde music scene, with faded loops and dreamy keyboards not too dissimilar to the style of The High Llamas (only with female vocals). Gelling tunes with an addictive hook to soft vocals, their songs elevate above the low ceiling of the Underworld into the clouds above. They perhaps weave together their music into a form which can truly be appreciated in a live setting, and it's clear that wherever you hear Pram, they deserve all the pushing they can get to reach to a wider audience.
However, the clear draw tonight are the headliners, The Sea & Cake, whose self-titled 1993 effort is a splendid and well constructed piece of cool, jazzy guitar-pop, recommended to the record collection of anyone with ears. Therefore, when playing tracks from the album in this rare London club show, you can see how the fans are thankful to see them grace British shores - in fact, the very reason this evening is sold out becomes clear to those that may not have heard of them prior to tonight. Sam Prekop's gentle and unassuming voice rotates around bass and guitar-driven ensembles created with the intent to warm the heart and move the body. And their intent manifests into motion.
On drums tonight is Tortoise star John McEntire (famous for remixes with artists such as Blur), and his vast musical ability is only complemented by his beautiful, gleaming, bald head. As calculated and articulate as his drum-playing may seem and sound, the downbeat nature of the gig is first revealed through Prekop's first comments on the evening after playing a particularly head-banging solo on his guitar, 'I felt too rock 'n' roll playing that.' Thus, they stick to what's best: feelgood synth, funky bass, soothing guitar and mellow, cathartic beats. New composition 'The Leaf' reveals that they're clinging on to their successful formula and after finishing off three more tracks, post an encore-break, The Sea and Cake leave us with their mark: a dashing of cool on a drab setting. It's pleasant to understand that although the people which helped spawned this show work in a rough trade, they're still open to letting bands of a more mellow nature show off their craft.
Artists in this article: The Sea & Cake
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