“Eugh, my banter is so off. I think it’s the heat,” laments Joe and he’s not wrong. A late summer heatwave has hit San Francisco, the sort of heat that melts all higher thought and replaces one’s inner dialogue with “uhhnn…” Coupled with that, instores are always odd gigs. It’s typically early, everyone’s sober and commerce continues in the background. In this case, though, Ameoba Records is about as close to a real life Empire Records as I’ve ever found and my inner nineties child is happy as hell. The fans inside the cavernous store are doing their best to ignore the heat, but the room is full of the sweet smell of sweat and a sheen covers every face. Actually, I’m not complaining; it’s totally perfect for the sexiest record of the summer.
Shortly, the pinnacle of the sexiness, ‘Tesselate’, rolls over the audience in a seductive wave, the quiet/loud contrasts somehow more marked than on the record, the sniffs and sighs more pronounced, Joe’s smooth, vocals are bluesy and deep. It was a real performance, a languorous oozing of the words into the mic. I remain convinced that if I was chatted up by someone who suggested we ‘tesselate’, I’d be obliged to sleep with them on the basis of euphemism alone.
‘Something Good’ showed off the band’s mastery of their instruments’ and the tightness of their playing. For such technical songs, not a note or beat was missed. ‘Matilda’ brought a moment of quiet sweetness and delicacy. Gorgeous from Gwil’s high harmonies to the bass heavy depths, ‘Fitzpleasure’ was another highlight. It’s a song for naughtiness, practically combustible in this heat.
In fact, as each track rolled out I became more and more relieved. These guys haven’t shot to the top, because of anything other than talent and, from the skill demonstrated today, bloody hard work.
Drummer Thom even earned a mid-song clap for his playing during ‘Breezeblocks’, so furious and heavy I don’t know how he didn’t pass out in his black shirt from heat exhaustion. Not only on this song, but throughout I couldn’t tear my eyes away from him. Not since Talons have I seen such precise and tricky rhythms mastered seemingly effortlessly. I’d say without breaking a sweat, but it’d be a huge lie. It was a joy just to watch someone so talented. I hope they never hide him at the back. It’d be such a waste.
Closer, ‘Taro’, had me reminding myself that open mouthed staring is not becoming in a lady, because damn they’re good! There’s a lot going on in that song and each band member was multi-tasking throughout to create all the effects. I wish I was musically accomplished enough to know the right terms, but the pingy bits were Gwil on xylophone, the twangy bits Gus, lynchpin throughout, playing his guitar with what looked like a roll of electric tape. (Musicians, do feel free to enlighten me in the comments.) It was phenomenal how perfectly every part fitted together.
Show over, signing beginning, I bounced out of Ameoba into the San Francisco dusk sad that I couldn’t fit a 12″ in my backpack, but oh so happy to have seen such talent in such a cool venue. My deepest hope is that, despite the ridiculous media furor, these guys manage to stay charming, stay humble, stay gold.
Posetd by Katy Cousins.
