The Vapors
Sometime, going to a gig on little more than a whim can result in a thoroughly enjoyable evening. Being absolutely honest, before tonight I knew nothing by The Vapors except the stone cold classic that is Turning Japanese (although I own that about 17 times on different punk, new wave and 80s alternative comps). I have been persuaded to come along by the sheer enthusiasm of Epic's live music manager Rick and it turns out to be a very good decision.
Opening the show are Pleasure Complex. Theirs is a set of two distinct styles. There are a couple of pure vocal and electronics workouts that bring to mind the likes of Blancmange, The Associates, a more human Kraftwerk and a less deadpan Pet Shop Boys. The rest of the set is more rock. There are hints of electroclash but also big splashes of Franz Ferdinand, early Pere Ubu, Sparks, Cardiacs, Pere Ubu, the filthy bass sound of Membranes and even the vocals of Songs From the Big Chair era Tears For Fears.
Dressed identically in burgundy shirts and black skinny fits, with David Byrne stage moves and masks, there is a theatricality and artiness here that is interesting and intriguing. If I am being hypercritical I love the idea of what Pleasure Complex are trying to achieve rather more than I like what they are actually doing. That said, Redundance (How To Survive In The City) and I've Got A Feeling (You're Going To Ruin My Life) are great songs and this lot will, I am sure, turn into something very special indeed.
Between sets, we get DJ (and model/actress) Jacqui Carroll, producer and presenter of RTE 2XM's Ready Steady GO! show. Playing a mix of ska, soul, 60s pop, this makes a nice change from the usual mix of whatever the soundman or headline band fancy putting on.
Now, for The Vapors. I wasn't expecting a lot really from a band that released a handful of singles and a couple of albums before splitting for the first time 35 years ago. Oh, how wrong can I be? This was a revelation. As I've said, before I came down here, I knew one song. It turns out that not only is it not their best song, most of the set is as good as or better than Japanese. Now, who would've thunk it?
Opening with Secret Noise, the band run through a set of sixteen instant classics, including News At Ten, Johnnie's In Love Again, Live At The Marquee, a rambunctious Jimmie Jones, Sixty Second Interval and ... Japanese (of course) before the main set is brought to a rousing conclusion with debut single Prisoners and Bunkers. The reaction from the crowd has been great and the band return for a three song encore of Waiting For The Weekend, America and Here Comes The Judge.
Throughout, the foursome of David Venton (lead vox and rhythm guitar), Edward Bazalgate (playing lead on a beautiful silver sparkle Gretsch), Steve Smith (Rickenbacker bass) and, only non-original member, Michael Bowes (drums), play with good humour and an understated... well, elegance is the only word I can come up with. These guys seem to be doing it purely for the love of the songs and with nothing to prove. I said Ian Hunter last night might just be one of my gigs of the year. This bettered that.
