65daysofstatic are the best band you will ever see live. If you haven't seen them, and care even the tiniest amount about music, then you should see them. You won't regret it.
Tonight's openers were The Physics House Band, a young, fresh-faced trio who banged out distorted melodies layered with experimental noises and textures. Dillinger Escape Plan as a jazz fusion band, if you will. It's difficult to quantify them as their music demands exploration. With that in mind, their album is available to buy and so I recommend you get it.
65 took to the stage to a tumultuous roar. Despite it being 'just' a club night, the 65kids were out in force and champing at the bit. We were in for a treat.
The latest album, Wild Light was released into the wild on Monday, tonight 65 would play it in its entirety. Holy shit. They later announced that this was the first time they had done so. A special night indeed. Pausing only to play their classics 'Retreat! Retreat!', and 'Radio Protector' we were treated to every last note of Wild Light, from the opening warning of Heat Death Infinity Splitter ("No one knows what is happening, there is a lot of danger out there.") to the tantalisingly abrupt ending of Safe Passage, it was all there.
It is difficult to adequately explain the feeling that seeing 65daysofstatic live brings. In a way it is the closest I have ever got to a religious experience, the way the layers build into something almost orgasmic. You close your eyes and let the sound wash over you as the waves from the speakers cause your insides to vibrate at an almost uncomfortable level. This is music you feel with every atom you possess.
The songs are a spiky, protected chrysalis constructed of white noise, containing something beautiful. Oppressive, physical bass notes shield the glassy, tender guitars from the harmful world outside. The systematic pounding of the drums almost crying out "look over here, there's nothing to see over there". I found myself wondering how it would sound to someone who was new to the band. Would they hear the same delicate layering as me, or would it be an impenetrable wall of noise? In a way I hope it's the latter; I want 65daysofstatic to be something that I keep to myself, a band that I have worked hard to understand. Equally, however, I want them to be on every radio station in every country, spreading their meticulously constructed scores.
As a live band, they are fascinating to watch. Rob and Simon off to one side, keeping the time knowing that they are the beating heart of the music. Joe paces the stage like a caged tiger, hammering pedals and guitar alike, while Paul hides in the corner; a scientist crafting glitches and layers almost apologetically. I have seen them four times - the first in 2006 - every time they have been the same. I would expect nothing less. Despite not being a singer, Joe keeps a microphone in order to address the crowd. It seems that last night there were some technical issues, meaning it was difficult to play this new, intricate music properly. If he hadn't have mentioned it we would never have known, so note perfect was the rendition.
I am listening to Wild Light on my good headphones as I type this, trying to claw back some of the experience of hearing it live. It's good, but it's not the same. For a start my spleen isn't trying to escape my body.
