Du Blonde - Brudenell Club, 5 June 2015

-
 ‘Welcome Back to Milk’ has been the soundtrack to my days and nights since landing on our doormat on Sunday 17 May. Over 12 songs, Beth Jeans Houghton has love in her sights and mercilessly toys with it like a punk rock deity. Seeing it live turned into a must see event, it’s raw power deserved a live airing so we prowled over to the Brudenell Club in Leeds.

On stage, Du Blonde have a mesmerising presence, their collective magnetic pull akin to watching a hurricane to see if it touches down. On paper, it doesn’t make sense, the guitarist is wearing a jumper on the hottest day of the year so far, it’s a debut album by a new band, but in reality it’s a confident collective who are simply magnificent live.

Essential listening.
Make no mistake, as much as BJH is the merkin-wearing heart of the band, each band member is integral to the act, and seem to truly enjoy playing live. The drummer is a powerhouse, his count in to songs ranging from hand clapping to melodic counting is beguiling, whilst the lead guitarist is simply phenomenal whilst jumping around. Even the bassist is ice cool. Having last seen BJH at the nearby Cockpit in Leeds, it’s a transformation to see her live tonight. Seemingly unbuoyed by instruments, Beth instead owns the stage and the audience, like a modern day preacher. It’s inspiring, raw power that captivates us all.

Live, their album ignites like petrol on an open flame, there is anger, rage, barely seething contempt, which at times collapses into the quietest and poignant of moments before sparking again into a full blown inferno. A cover of ‘Where is my mind?’ is sublime, and perhaps best of all demonstrates how already Du Blonde’s songs stand shoulder to shoulder with the very best of the Pixies.

In short, it was a fucking amazing gig, Du Blonde deserve every plaudit gained so far and many more to come. Check them out while you can.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Thomas Truax, Fulford Arms, 18 May 2016

-
Image
The night magic came to York… The night started in Fulford Arms, York (one of the city’s best venues for live music) and ended in Wowtown, courtesy of Thomas Truax. I admit prior to the evening I knew little of his work, save for his reputation of inventing his own instruments. Starting with ‘Inside the Internet’, complete with dial up tones, it felt like the beginning of, what was, a very special evening. Words can’t really describe the gig in justice, but here’s a selection. There’s an incredible inventiveness about Thomas Truax that’s completely mesmerising. Sounding at times like a complete orchestra, it’s an one-man show like no other. It sounds impressive, ‘invents his own instruments’, but it’s more than just putting an extra string on a guitar (which may also be great). We’re talking hornicators, gramophones, beaters, mouthpieces from saxophones, fishing reels, a spinning jenny, just to list a few. I’m not one for superlatives, but to me, it’s complete genius. Th...
Read more

Gogol Bordello, 27 November 2010, Leeds Refectory

-
Image
Gogol Bordello are an eight piece incredible force of energy which turned an icy Saturday night skate to the Refectory into a tsunami of punk-gypsy-rock debauchery. Having watched their release 'Live From Axis Mundi' the month prior to the gig, I knew it would be a show not to be missed yet I wasn't expecting the gig to be so incendiary. Standing in the middle of the Refectory, a fairly decent venue with a stage fit for kings, was never going to be a good idea. Waltzing on to the latest release 'Tribal Connection' the crowds descended into mass circling, moshing pit of carnage...rampaging fun.Within the first five minutes, one unlucky pogo-er had lost their left shoe. Retreating back to admire Hutz and his insane band of fire-bucket force from the edges of the crowd, it was brilliant to watch the showmanship and punk cabaret that Bordello gave. An incredible live performance, every band member give it their all to deliver an intense rendition of songs sp...
Read more

Paint Nothing, The Portland Arms, 21 September 2013

-
Image
With the unexpected split of the Chapman Family, their legacy has loomed large over the last of the summer days. Haunted by every mp3 shuffle that brings back 'Kids', 'Summer Song' or 'Sound of the Radio' back to the conscious, it's like being trapped in a recurring Sandra Bollock film where the inevitable break up scene is replayed again and again. In short, it was time to get out and see some noise.  Step forward the Portland Arms, one of Cambridge's premier venues featuring a beautiful array, nay cornucopia of rooms adjoined by what seems to be a striking loft extension that's had it's floor knocked through to create a space Kevin McCloud would be proud of - not least as it features it's very own painted curtains complete with plug socket. Still, in today's relentless 'X-Factor' campaign to unshackle every member of the population into thinking we too can be the next big thing, regardless of talent, teeth or dignity,...
Read more