First support tonight is Theory of Everything. Their sub-Muse/Mogwai esque noisy yet somehow melodic meanderings are lost on the majority of the crowd, who are up for something far less angst-ridden. Jesus Jones however, Though you might have them tagged as an anachronism, have returned from the brink of commercial death. The unfortunate thing now is that Jesus Jones were once 10 years ahead of their time, and now they sound like thousands of other bands attempting to do the rock-techno-pop crossover; bands like Garbage for one took the same template. However, Jesus Jones were do it way over a decade ago and wrote the rulebook. However the rules have changed, and in places Jesus Jones seem oddly dated, especially when they don’t play a single song written after 1993. From the opening “Move Mountains” to the closing “who? Where? Why?” Jesus Jones have a surfeit of energy that would put a band 10 years younger to shame. A singles heavy set mixed with a reception that would put most headliners in their place shows that this band, whilst maybe past their creative peak, are far from over.
A dodgy sound in places (like the distorted keyboard at the beginning of the otherwise superb “Zeroes and Ones”) mars the overall impression, but again, the choice of songs shows exactly why Jesus Jones deserve every plaudit labelled at them. But its when they play “Idiot Stare”, a ravenous and abrasive slab of techno-metal, that things truly fall into place, and to follow it with “Info Freako” gives a reception you’d be amazed to see a support band receive; Iain Baker (xfm DJ) is on keyboards and looks like a hyperactive 15 year old on Prozac, the new bassist looks like a cross between a bodybuilder and a bouncer.They may be a trip down memory lane tonight, but they are truly a revelation for anyone who thought that they were over. Compared to this, The Strokes ain’t so much the future of rock n’ roll, as the looking back nostalgically at the maggots in corpse of the 60’s while Jesus Jones sample it, loop it, fuck it and eat it, before looking down at it all and wondering why should the future sounds so retro anyway?
By contrast, The Wonderstuff’s merry Christmas jamboree is looking like becoming an annual event, much in the same way the Pogues reel ‘em in every December. Perhaps the Pogues is the best comparison here, because the Wonderstuff , like The Pogues, offer a greatest hits set, no new material, But instead a folky jig and get on with it, not in cheesy showbiz way, but in the way of four mates, a stage and a lot of damn fine songs. It’s a nostalgia trip, but its brilliant fun. In a world where every band seems intent on moaning about how bad it is having paradise syndrome / being a millionaire / being persecuted because they’re American, middle-class and white / have got homework to do / mother told them to tidy their room/ navel gazing or simply just can’t be arsed to look up from their shoegazing and enjoy the sunshine once in a fucking while, The Wonderstuff are a breath of fresh air. Exuberant, carefree, enjoyable fun with a minimum of self-introspective narcissim. Though the opening few songs seem a bit limp while the band get into their stride, once “Here Comes Everyone” hits it, its like the band are on full form. The band seem to be grinning their heads off they’re enjoying it that much, and when you’ve bouncy indie-pop anthems of the caliber of these, who can blame them?
It’s the kind of atmosphere that you used to read about at gigs and wonder why it never happened at the gigs you went to; and makes you wonder why people really love Travis and other interminable shite et al. When something as good as this exists as an alternative. “Size of a cow” maybe be whimsical throwaway cheesy indie-pop, but its tremendous fun. But by the time the spiky angst-pop of “Unbearable”, “Poison” and “10 trenches deep” close the main set, It’s infectious enough to make even the most ardent Wonderstuff-hater turn into either a grinning loon wearing dancing shoes or a new convert. Quite simply, I’ve not seen a live band this good in a long long time; and its the best Wonderstuff gig I've seen in years. Its like a party and everyone’s invited; where other bands are content to stay in their own introspection, the wonderstuff soar ina celebratory knees up, a mix of folk, indie, jangly indie-pop and chorus you can sing for weeks.
The only shame is people would rather see Travis instead; and if that’s what you want to do, you don’t know what you’re missing. Their Loss; make sure you don't make the same mistake.
JESUS JONES: Move Mountains / International Bright Young Thing / Real Real Real / Zeroes and Ones / Right Here, Right Now / Idiot Stare / Info Freako / Who? Where ? Why?
THE WONDERSTUFF Mission Drive / Circlesquare / Golden Green / Ruby horse / A Wish Away / Here Comes Everyone / on the Ropes / Cartoon Boyfriend / Play / Caught In My Shadow / Full of Life / Sleep alone / Piece of Sky / Size of A Cow / Welcome to the Cheap Seats / Donation / Unbearable / Poison / 10 Trenches Deep Encores: Cant Shape Up / maybe / Inside You / give Give Give Me More More More / Don’t let me down gently / its yer money Im after baby / Goodnight Though
