Reviewed on 22nd May 2007.

Mother Vulpine

Live at Brudenell Social Club on Friday, 18th May 2007

Such is the packed out full of goodnessness of tonight's On The Bone, I rudely enter the Brudenell a couple of songs into Wintermute's set. I am struck by the potential Forward, Russia makeover that seems to have taken place and the going for it a bit more vitality of the band, I can't make my mind up if this is because of a perceived makeover or not, erm interesting. One thing that is certain though is that there is already a healthy turnout of punters lapping it up, very good.

Before I comment on the much talked over genius folk/bluesy action that David Broad provides, I must register my concern at the 8 foot high "trees" that seem to be liberally scattered around the venue. The spikes on the end of these beasts could take many an eye out, and once in that eye, there will be much serration on the way out. A suggestion of punishment between myself and Nathan is worked on - a repeal of the fox hunting ban seems to be the solution.

When Massive Heron begin what turns out to be their only "song", it appears that there is 1 lad playing with a Nintendo and another lad playing with himself - his back is towards us you see. Said devices appear to be baby glockenspiels or baby handheld pianos. Whatever they are, they're fed through many, many pedals and looping riffs mixed with childlike rhythms is the end result. It's fairly random and yet this makes sense totally and it's all not much louder than a very odd dream.

When Downdime kick in, my first thought is Dinosaur Jr, my second Sonic Youth (quieter division) and then all thoughts are lost from my head. What we have is some perky/bouncey/indie pop going on and a C86 moshpit of sort forms. Ace. Frontman Ged mentions On The Bone Records, a fine label and then introduces their next single on Squirrel Records, another fine label. An anonymouse punter nearby asks me where the mention of Wrath Records is - it's here my friend, it's here.

Tonight's undoubted stars are Samsa - there are clean, clean sounds with elements of Muse and the alluded to by Sam Saunders-ness of The Somatics and I'd add the potential stadiumness of U2, but without the "I don't pay any income tax, but am quite happy to make you feel bad about not qiving all of your hard earned to the Third World" preaching of Bonehead. The time is coming soon for this band I fancy, "First The Lights" swoops and soars and new single "To Conquer" has Saturday afternoon at a festival aceness running through its pulsating veins.

Blimey, it's gone midnight, and Mother Vulpine take the stage and open with a song that has 8 different styles and bits in it, all very now-ish. I really liked the DTTR "... Detectives" tune, and when this is played it shows the other songs to be weaker for me, so what's gone wrong? There are plenty of punters having it down the front, but I'm not convinced - and I want to be. They are called back for an encore and it's the DTTR one again, as if to hammer my thoughts home - prove me wrong, you vixens!!