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The Cooper Temple Clause / Rob Webb
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by Rob Webb
"We do still exist", TCTC singer Ben Gautrey assures the audience, but he needn't bother because his band's display has already proven beyond all reasonable doubt that, despite an eight month break, Reading's favourite sons are still alive and kicking.

Opening with a slow-burning new song the Coopers look relaxed. Toying with the idea of playing 'Who Needs Enemies?', they decide instead to launch into another newie, the turbo-charged 'Damage'.

Half of tonight's set consists of songs under consideration for a third album. Sounding surprisingly fully-formed already, all of the new material is well received, notably the acoustic led 'Take Comfort'. The old stuff, too, is as fresh as it was three years ago. A reworked version of 'Panzer Attack' is particularly devastating; a techno style intro descending into a riotous collision of feedback-ridden guitar and dark electronica.

There are two main kinds of Cooper Temple Clause song: sonic assaults that should carry a government health warning and mellower, more experimental numbers that almost have you reaching for your chin with an outstretched finger. The last of the new batch, which sees guitarists Tom Bellamy and Dan Fisher using violin bows on their instruments, is firmly in the latter camp.

As a band, The Cooper Temple Clause have developed immeasurably since 2002 debut 'See This Through And Leave', and despite a slight mid-set lull this is an accomplished display. The Coopers are back, and they've got a point or two to make. They end, aptly, with 'Did You Miss Me?' The answer, a resounding 'yes'.

  • The Cooper Temple Clause 8 / 10
Words: Rob Webb

The Cooper Temple Clause

i saw these at leeds. too much new stuff. i really like the first album, but frankly, the second one is crap and i dont want to hear a festival set where over half the songs played are new ones.

The Cooper Temple Clause

I went to the Norwich gig on the Thursday and they ruled. We need a band like them to kick everyone else up the arse and show what is possible with a little imagination.

Re: The Cooper Temple Clause

they've been away too long

Re: The Cooper Temple Clause

was also at the norwich gig and I left the place very confused. The new stuff and the old stuff really don't sit well together. I like the new stuff but I'm not sure it worked very well alongside some of the heavier old stuff. Was also a bit offputting to see how many people were nearly wetting themselves at the sight of two grown men playing guitars with violin bows

The Cooper Temple Clause

Was there, this gig was fucking immense.
New songs are sounding great too.

The Cooper Temple Clause

Fuck, I miss this band. Recently the second album seems to have been taking a hammering, but I think it's absolutely brilliant, a huge step on from the first one.

The Cooper Temple Clause

I was at the gig at Oxford and it was amazing. I loved both of the Coopers' albums and I love what I've heard of the new stuff. Can't wait for the new album to come out and to see them play live again!

The Cooper Temple Clause

Welcome back old friends. Save us from Dogs and Towers of London.

The Cooper Temple Clause

I think mp3's of this gig are available on the official forum.

The Cooper Temple Clause

I saw them at Leeds Festival and they were awesome. There were a few too many new songs but the set was generally great. I can't remember what all of the new songs were like, but Damage stood out for me - sounds like it could be a single, possibly their comeback single. The first album is a great record. The second record is more of a concept album that needs to be listened to from start to finish, but overall I think it is the better of the two. I can't wait until the third album is released.