The Troubadour - Fri Sep 19

Some unforeseen line-up shuffling finds Spencer P. Jones failing to board his flight and Le Friken Hecks plugging the gap in his absence. Guitar, bass, drums, violin and the occasional female voice comprise their sound, which flitters curiously between interesting and repetitive. The skeletal rhythm section of Control draws attention to the guitarist’s mesmerising progression across twelve-odd minutes. Effectively My Disco on downers. Strangely compelling.

Butcher Birds eschew more melodic tracks, such as their Stranded offering Tiger Paw, in favour of harder-edged creations in an apparent attempt to better match the sound of tonight’s headlining act. Their gamble pays off: a set comprised largely of new material is well received by the mostly-reclining audience, who are content to sit and watch power chord shapes slide across fretboards. The three gals and new drummer Donovan possess that effortless ‘90s alt-rock swagger, but their appeal wanes after 45 minutes.

Mary Trembles step up to the plate for their second album launch – July’s show was several weeks before debut Borrowed Ears, Borrowed Eyes was released – and send any lingering doubts about the band’s potential flying out of the park. Sauced pirates from The Island’s charity cruise materialise and vocally announce their presence as the trio work through album opener Geranium. They’re in fine form tonight: Damon Cox is forever a demon behind the kit, Tanzie’s four strings produce a gloriously crunchy sound, and Skritch’s dual guitar rig is handled without fault. The cracking pace of Why O Why and the shattered, No Anchor-esque rhythm of Please Don’t Scream I Hate The Noise are exceptional; the soaring chorus guitar phrase during Scene From Below has never sounded better. Their debut album pokes at the boundaries of their biting rock sound while embracing every melodic opportunity; their live performances continue to impress. Home run.

ANDREW MCMILLEN

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