iForward Russia!, Cursive, Kubichek!, Sometree @ KoKo, Camden, London
31st March 2007
After being hounded for as long as i can remember, I finally gave in to friends recommendation of seeing a sprightly new electrock indie band from the northern indie rock haven of Leeds. Just so happens that alot of other good bands were playing too on this NME Awards tour show at the great KoKo venue in Camden.
Accompanied by Mr Flowers, we arrived fashionably late and in time to see the decent acts. So we loitered at the bar listening to Sometree which was exceptionally dull. All except the very last track which really set of some sparks. Shame the set ended 2 minutes later. Next up were newbie’s Kubichek! These played an energetic set of undecipherable lyrics and full tilt electrock. For an early slot this was a bit too much for the onlookers who preferred to rudely stand and chat. But their catchy mutterings were a winner for me and I’m looking forward to their album. whether it will have substance up and beyond the 2/3 good tracks heard this evening is yet to be seen.
After their most commercially successful album to date “Happy Hollow“, veteran indie tunemakers Cursive journeyed from the states to entertain the London crowd. Their sound was all about raw melodies, cracks and all. Thier more random shoegaze moments floated easily past as mystifying layered indie classics and their no-nonsense melodies powered through as alt rock monsters! “Dorothy at 40�? sped past with the destructive energy of a Midwest tornado, and “Big Bang�? finally grabbed the attention of the weary assemble who suddenly lost the urge to chat. This was a great set and come highly recommended not only for their strangely accessible “out there” randomocity, but their compelling indie/rock craft.
Is there anybody out there?
It was almost time for the headliners and I couldn’t help but feel they would be a disappointment given the pre-gig praise laid upon them by friends. Which is why I was so pleased that they didn’t disappoint iForward Russia!, blasted through the highlights of their first album Give me a Wall, at a frenetic pace, giving little time to breathe. The singer sounds as if he was strangling a cat most of the gig, but lyrical content isn’t really what this band is about, you can hardly understand them if you listen to the album. But its his energy and passion which is projected to the up most here tonight. However I feel he may have some suicidal tendencies as he was insistent on tying the mic cord round his neck at every opportunity! Maybe they should think about investing in a cordless mic for Health and Safety Purposes. Their great fretsmith was churning out uberspeedy/funky riffs which were awesome.
This band work so well in a live environment, heart pounding bass, dancy rhythm’s and a feel good atmosphere of I just don’t care (hand me another beer). Track highlights, I couldn’t tell you as all track names are numbers and damn confusing…indie geeks! (42 anyone?) But their new material sounds exciting and cant wait for their second album to arrive. With all this said and done I waddled off home contented that I’ve finally seen the Russia and no longer have to start sentences with “I can only imagine…”.
DOESITROCK.NET 