I put on my first show in Leeds last week and it was cool as. Four great bands played (LOVVERS, Wonderswan, Cissy, Jon Jones & The Beatniks Movement) and the 80 or so people crammed in to the tiny upstairs room of The Packhorse witnessed one of the most sweaty shows in Leeds this year. There was pogo-ing and everything.I was working the door most of the night but managed to pop in and out to catch some action. First up were Jon Jones & The Beatniks Movement. Veterans on the Bradford scene they are now getting their name about in Leeds. Every time I see this band they improve and are now settled after numerous line-up changes. They played a tight set of distorted fuzz metal/garage/punk at the pace of the Leeds to King's Cross train. Not only do Jon Jones sound the business they look the business too with their leather jackets and messy barnets.
Next up were Cissy and I must admit they were the bazarist, weirdest band I have seen in a while. In a good way of course. They sound like Booker T & The MGs playing with The Pop Group. Kinda Post Punk gone Soul. And there's Jazz in there too. They got that whole Fela Kuti thing going down. Its also progressive in approach. Crazy shit.
Our favorite's Wonderswan took to the stage with a slack performance, stopping and starting their songs. But it didn't matter cos they were great. The fact that they are slack adds to their charm and the crowd loved it. They remind me a bit of Pavement or The Wedding Present who happen to one of my top 10 bands of all time.
By the time Lovvers were on people could barely move. Packed like sardines. Lovvers sped through their set. Choosing to play on the floor they were right in the audiences faces. Screaming and jumping into anyone who made eye contact with them. It was a no nonsense 'punk rock' performance with no nonsense tunes that share the same attitude as those by Nirvana, The Stooges and Les Savy Fav. It was a wild performance and I'm glad that I put them on. Their EP Think is out now on Wichita and you all should buy it.
After the show I ended up at a party with Henry from Lovvers and the boys from Wonderswan where I bumped in to old friend Jeremy Warmsley. He played at the party but I just missed his set so we caught up in the kitchen while Cowtown were rocking the lounge. Jeremy is a great talent and I do feel he is one of the greatest singer / songwriters of our generation. God knows why he ain't bigger than he is. His latest album, How We Became, is magnificent. I leave a bit after I see a girl being carried into an ambulance by paramedics.
