This is our final gig of the year and, unbelievably, the 48th (count ’em!) since our first tentative live appearance on January 17th this year. The band has come a long way in a relatively short time, both creatively and in terms of live performance. If this trend continues, by this time next year we shall undoubtedly be the finest band ever to come out of Farleigh Wallop and surrounding villages. Ever!
It’s our second time at The Light Lounge and onehundredpercentmusic Ltd’s ‘Three On Thursday’ gig. It’s something of an open secret that this event usually comprises three bands and takes place on a Thursday. Do you see what they did there? This time, Ben has brought monitors, as they were somewhat lacking last time. Being able to hear oneself is A Good Thing – particularly when attempting three part harmonies and playing violins and the like. Even better, we actually manage to figure out how to make said monitors work.
Moscow Flyer, who are headlining, are setting up when we arrive. There’s tinsel and fairy lights strewn about the place and they’re rehearsing ‘Silent Night’ - very festive. We’ve made no effort at all towards any kind of seasonal frippery. And quite rightly too – bah humbug, innit!
The first band on are Silvanito. Most of their set is based around a single gag. But it must be said it’s a very good gag! Their speciality is a pastiche of Ennio Morricone’s famous spaghetti western soundtracks. There’s twanging echo guitar, lots of ‘dum-diddle-um-diddlum’ latin rhythms, a good dose of ‘Hoo! Ha!’, all served up with lashings of hot sauce and Manchego cheese. You’d think this joke might wear thin after a bit, but there’s enough musical invention and pure bandito bravado going on to keep the audience thoroughly entertained. There are occasional interludes of fairly trad west-coast rock, which isn’t my particular cup of tequila, but this is more than made up for by the crowning glory of the set - an inspired festive ‘spag rock’ take on ‘Walking in the Air’. Yes, that’s right – the Aled Jones tune from ‘The Snowman’! This has to be heard to be believed, but fortunately, hear it you can on their MySpace page - http://www.myspace.com/..silvanitoband.
Next up, it’s four blokes and a posh bird from Farleigh Wallop. That’ll be us, then. We rip through our set and it sounds good ’n’ punchy. There’s a first outing for new song, ‘Rare Moments of Normality’, which goes pretty well, although Ben later complains he has trouble finding his pitch for the first verse. I can’t say I noticed at the time as I was too busy enjoying the sound of my own beefy bassline. I even sang the right words in my backing vocals. Well, most of the time. The set goes down well with the punters and we shift a few of our free CDs. Nice!
Finally, Moscow Flyer do their turn, and I have to say they’re a mighty fine band – probably the best we’ve played with in our long history of 48 gigs! They have something of Arcade Fire about their sound, with lots of acoustic instruments – fiddles, ukuleles and banjos – but for my money, they have better songs than Arcade Fire. They manage to span from intimate to anthemic, often within a single song, with great tunes, imaginative arrangements and heartfelt vocals. Bloody great! Also, extra points for giving away mince pies and for their drummer wearing a snowman suit throughout the performance, complete with carrot nose.
Well, what a marvellous end to Brassneck’s first year. Can’t wait to see what the next twelve months has in store for us.
And so, with that we’ll be wishing y’all a Merry Yule and a Most Splendid New Year. Ho! Ho! and, I might add, Ho!
Neil.
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