Norwich Sound & Vision - Peace
For the first time since 2012, I’ve not run around the city like a maniac trying to see as artists and bands as possible during second weekend of October. Partly that is because this year's Norwich Sound+Vision is just at one venue. After the run from 2012 to 2016 (and, from what I am told, the years prior to that), this is a touch disappointing but I am sure there are a myriad of reasons and, in the circumstances, it is great that any gigs at all took place.
I couldn’t get to the Diet Cig or Big Moon gigs but I am here tonight and intent on making up for that. I’ll ‘fess up, I am here for Gaffa Tape Sandy. I fell in love with this band’s music when I first heard ‘em on the This Is The Sound of Sugar Town Vol. II comp. But first up are We'll Be Detectives. Jonny, Dermot and Harrison’s sound takes in early Dinosaur Jr, Melvins, various grunge bands (can I mention Nirvana?) and the more contemporary likes of Crippled Black Phoenix and Drenge. It's like britpop and the 21st century haven't happened which may be no bad thing. My first thoughts were that there is - currently - little individuality or personality here but, by the end of the set, they have won me over. A bit of time, a few more gigs and a pinch of originality and We’ll Be Detectives may be real contenders.
I’ve already said, I am here for Gaffa Tape Sandy on the basis of one song - L’Appel Du Vide. It is an excellent song but it is just one song nonetheless. I am delighted to say that vocalist/guitarist Kim, vocalist/bassist Catharine and drummer Robin absolutely blow me away.
Every so often, I get bored with music and need a reminder of the redemptive power of proper, loud ROCK. Before tonight, I was hitting that point. As if on cue, Gaffa Tape Sandy deliver a wake up call - in absolute spades - and more. This is 60s garage and Who-style maximum R'n'B filtered through punk, hardcore, grunge and, well, pretty much any of the great guitar-based music of the last 55 years or so. Absolutely superb and the best new (to me) band I have seen since the mighty SuperGlu.
Buy This Is The Sound of Sugar Town Volume 2, buy the Spring Killing EP, go and see Gaffa Tape Sandy. It really will make life better.
If you’re going to use Morricone as an intro tape, you have to be better than good. Peace almost - almost - pull it off. Anyone using Morricone has to be ready to kick in as soon as that intro finishes. Peace leave slightly too long a gap but, once started, this is, for the most part, great stuff.
Cynic that I am, I'll always doubt the credentials of anyone bigged-up as the next big thing by the likes of the NME. So, I’ve kinda ignored this Birmingham quartet’s rise to fame. More fool me as this is thoroughly enjoyable. Normally a quartet, tonight the band expand to a five piece with a second drummer helping out the sling-wearing Dominic.
The crowd go mental from the opening chord to the final crescendo as the band deliver a set of enthusiastic, high energy indie-rock. I have not seen such a full-on reaction from a crowd at NAC for I don’t know how long. The band are doing nothing new but, from the Frank Ferdinandesque anthems to the Explosions In The Sky wig-outs, they do what they do bloody well.
All three bands tonight put in fine sets. We’ll Be Detectives aren’t quite the finished article, Peace go down exceptionally well with the crowd but are just a touch derivative for me whilst Gaffa Tape Sandy pull-off a bit of a giant killing and, for me at least, are the band of the night.
