The Thinking Men
After a day at work that has dragged on for eternity, what could be better than a gig to wind down and get the weekend going? So it is off to OPEN that I go.
Space Is Big offer up a heavy, upbeat, grungey alt.rock. They veer between styles and I’m picking up bits of Weezer, Husker Du, Green Day, They Might Be Giants and Pulled Apart By Horses. It doesn’t always gel, a bit more individuality wouldn’t go amiss but it ain’t bad.
Despite the dreadful sleaze-metal name and the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club look, Junky Love play an enthralling psyche-drone-post rock. There are debts to the likes of My Bloody Valentine and Spacemen 3, along with a touch of early Jesus & Mary Chain. If I’ve got any complaints, I’d have to say it was too damned loud (and anyone who says that if it is too loud, you’re too old is welcome to my tinnitus and can kiss my jacksy) and the cover of Velvets’ I’m Waiting For My Man is a touch too obvious.
Next up is a dose of powerful, old school soul inflected rock ‘n’ roll from Robust Soul. The vocals are split between the three guitarists. Monica has a strong, smokey jazz voice, Tom (I think) is more of a straight ahead rock singer, whilst Samuel (maybe) testifies like Nick Cave channeling an Old Testament prophet. There’s a groove and some great riffs here but the original songs aren’t that strong, being blown away by an admittedly amazing take on Bolan’s 20th Century Boy.
I’ve seen The Thinking Men a fair few times over the years but it has been a fair while since I last caught ‘em so I am looking forward to this. From the dramatic, gothic opening, they don’t disappoint. Imagine the songs of latter day Nick Cave played with the energy and fuck you attitude of Birthday Party, add in some Doorsian melodrama and Tom Waits theatricality and you are some way to the Thinking Men experience. Intense, heavy but melodic, this is wholly entertaining. If there was any justice in this world, this band would be headlining festivals up and down the land. As it is, the lucky ones among us get to see them blow OPEN apart.
