OTHER HALF, KULK & SLEEMO
I had no intention of reviewing this one. I have written about Other Half, Kulk and Sleemo several times each already this year but this just has to be shared.
It takes something special to stop me going to see Slade for their annual Christmas bonanza at the Waterfront. Even without Noddy and Jim, I love Slade. (And not just that Xmas song, either). It takes something very special indeed to stop me going to see Neutrinos at NAC. See, Neutrinos shows aren’t gigs, they are events and I adore Neutrinos. Other Half, Kulk and Sleemo repaid my commitment by delivering one of the best gigs of the year so far.
SLEEMO seemed a touch more relaxed than they were at their headline show here three weeks ago. Opening the show in fine style with their brand of fiery alt.rock, they have become to one of the finest bands on the local scene, if not in the country. Billy’s bruised wail remains a focal point but the song writing and the musicianship have quickly developed into something formidable.
KULK continue to do what Kulk do best: sludge-doom-no wave that combines Swans with Gnod and early 80s anarcho-punk to create a wild, cathartic noise that is as beautiful as it is brutal and is wholly their own.
And so to OTHER HALF and their (perhaps tongue-in-cheek) album launch show the best part of a year and a half since (the phenomenal) Big Twenty was released. Every time I see Other Half I say it is the best that I have ever seen them and that they can’t top that performance. Every time I see them they up the ante. Playing the album in order in its entirety (almost) with an encore of a new song, this show was no different. How such lovely people off stage – I mean, whatever band writes Xmas cards to everyone attending a gig? – can make such a ferocious, feral noise on stage is a mystery to me but hells I am glad they do. Don’t get me wrong, though, this is not just another post-punky, alternative rock noise though. There’s a keen ear for melody here too and, as with Kulk, there’s beauty. The way Cal’s howl meshes with Sophie’s scream on the likes of White Worm is a joy to behold and Alfie’s drumming is just superb. Honestly, this band are so special.
So, yeah, I kinda regret missing Slade and Neutrinos but this was the show to be at. Three local(ish) acts blowing the roof off the venue. What a night.
