Reviewed on 30th January 2004.

Jarcrew

Live at Joseph's Well on Wednesday, 28th January 2004

This was the most treacherous, cold, icy night so far this winter. Fell over on the way to work. How lame is that? Osteoporosis sufferers, stay in your homes or risk snapping your poor limbs like so many twigs. This considered, the turnout for this affair wasn't bad - only the hardy need apply.

I was walking pensioner-speed to the Well while Pray For Hayden were on, so missed their set. A tough emo-ish affair though, say the kids. However, I didn't miss the new-improved-preparing-for-industry-assault Flames! The band known for its straight down the line, clever-stupid simplicity have got new material, and folks, it's a bit of a departure. There seems to be a slightly tense air about 'em on stage, there's less Gallic carry-on and not one "Hot News". This tension works a treat though, and as a result they shred, tight and nasty. Jean-Claude looks mental behind his kit, like he wants to eat his drums - quite unnerving. New stuff has TIME CHANGES and a Fugazi-like quality, it's perhaps more "serious" and lateral than their old gear but it fits perfectly. New track, working title "The Beast" is a remarkable thing, Henri spitting a military-style cadence in the chorus. Proper chaos, redolent of Eighties Matchbox in its unhinged attack. If they don't go big this year, words need to be had. The next level of "Frenchcore".

People In Planes. Hmmmm. How the hell does one describe this lot? They've got a Hammond and a synth bolstering their line-up, and "wall of sound" certainly springs to mind. Ambitious ain't the word. It's a bizarre cross between ELO, Muse, Suede and the BBC Radiophonic Workshop. Shared lead vocals, very complex, very well rehearsed and executed. Moments of blues-metal overdrive in there... errr... Very quirky and hard to define, but ultimately didn't MOVE me, though that's more a "my taste" issue than a reflection on this worthy band.

Jarcrew are maniacs in green army jumpers with skulls sprayed on them. Really wasn't sure what to expect as hadn't heard a note by this band, just good things from tasteful cats around town. Thought they might be more emo-post-hardcore steez, but they come across a touch Futureheads, very spasmodic, jerky complex math sounds you can cut a rug to. And boy oh boy, does the singer cut a rug. Like a hybrid of Howlin' Pelle and a big string puppet gone bad, he shakes maracas, twists and writhes, harasses the audience, plays with girls' hair, steals hats (including mine... grrrrr), occasionally plays the keyboard and generally brings a mad charm to this breathtaking band. Well worth checking out. They're all about 12 too. They're unhinged now, and I shudder to think what they'll be like in a few years time...

All in all, winter's ass got kicked by some highly original acts. Those lightweights who stayed in being scared of the weather missed out on quite a fine evening.