The Thermals - London Highbury Buffalo Bar - 15/7/03
3/5
By: Toby L
This doesn't look difficult. Three stumble across the Buffalo Bar's beer-doused mignon of a stage, and seem more likely to read Psalms than perform the racket that ensues.
But, if The Thermals' banner-label Sub Pop has taught us one thing at all over the years, it's that the confines of expectation don't always reap what shall follow (who thought that Nirvana's inaugural output - ahem, 'Love Gun' - would really result in an introduction to one of rock's most revolutionary additions..?).
As shown with debut-LP 'More Parts Per Million' - a rapt, taut, pummelling, non-stop barrage of tight-indie trouser rock gems, blending the definitive edge of a classic Brit-punk act with a US college-geek outfit - and this as a final closer-show in a first ever trip to the UK, it's evident that the trio don't do variation, instead hammering through a solid half-hour of barre-chord coated, nihilistic-pop. And, beside us, conveniently, someone counts the length of each passing track. '55 seconds, that one,' the reveller smirks, scratching his stubble. 'Oh - and that track was 76 seconds.'
Thus, such urgent immediacy entwined with a nerdish presentation - in between every track, Malkmus-haircutted singer Hutch Harris breathes violently in and out to catch up with an ever-shortening supply of oxygen, whilst speedily tuning up in prep. for the next number - proves rigidly endearing. Combined with bassist Kathy's haphazard display, and drummer Ben's snare/cymbals-only kit, there's enough personality to infuse/enthuse chugging growlers such as new Pixies-cum-Pavement gallivant, '... Now We Know', or a feedback-blaring, art-rock close to 'My Little Machine'. A penultimate 'An Endless Display' seems a warranted, self-declaration of their strained, combined efforts.
As soon as they wobble off to keen applause, both Ben and Hutch swagger to the bar, dreamily ordering a beverage to re-energise their internal organs. Beside us, again, the stubbled specimen counts the duration for the last song. 'Blimey... 63 seconds.' Probably - not that any more was needed, though.
Artists in this article: The Thermals
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