Having had a tip off that Bathing Suits are the "secret" band on tonight I get free tickets with added interest that not been to the Old Blue Last for a long long time. In the end anyone was let in with or without a ticket and Bathing Suits were announced well before the day. After my cycle down from north London I lock up the bike and go up to the gig room where I get a drink which I confusingly think it free as the woman at the bar doesn't ask me to pay. I later have to shell out though. First up are The Kitchen Sink Band an industrial noise with I think various members on the mic telling jokes. At least I assume they are as the packed audience is mostly laughing at them. They then settle down with their instruments and the cacophony morphs into an electronic Krautrock influenced set with guitar that speaks, or sounds, to the London alternative scene. By this time Pete and Wendy have arrived and due to further confusion I have to pay for my pint. Outside we chat and check out the local east London fashions before coming back in for Bathing Suits. As they take the stage their presence is felt especially the tall long blonde haired vocalist. Musically they are intense, punky and white hot with the vocalist furiously head banging. We get into a hard funk punky metal electronic dance vibe not unlike LCD SS if James Murphy had taken a lead from British late 70s discos fusing punk funk disco and reggae instead of hanging around Studio 54 (which I assume he did?) Anyways they are going down very well and rightly so. A few youngsters bopping around at the front which to be fair they were doing for TKSB too. It's a fantastically energetic set and well worth the bus fare and entrance price. They are great and we are treated to the singer going into the bopping youngsters then running to the back of the crowd much to the consternation of the ageing bloke next to me who nearly had his pint spilt. On that point the crowd does have a fair few over 40s, indeed over 50s and beyond, here which is different to the usual London crowd at such venues. Maybe the lure of a free gig and being able to use their over 60s Oyster passes has enticed them all out. By this time the singer has stripped to just a bikini which as an aside is not my idea of a bathing suit which I think of as a one piece but I won't quibble with that. By the end of the set the top is off and we really are in the realms of 70s nice n sleazy vibes. If I'd written a blog back in 78 you'd know what I mean. So a great set from a great band. They've given their all and we all appreciate it. Last up are Oslo Twins which confuses me as there are 3 of them and none look like they are twins. Maybe non-identical. The place has thinned out a bit which is a shame for the band but means that we can get nearer the stage and have space to breath. The "Twins" play a great set derived from a Bristol scene trip hop influence with laid back beautifully voiced vocals. It's understated and a long way from Bathing Suits but nonetheless a fine way to end the evening. Pete and Wendy have exitted already and soon I'm back in the fresh air and cycling home along the river. Looking forward to catching Bathing Suits at the Windmill and will also look out for the other two too.
 |
| Oslo Twins |
 |
| Bikini |
 |
| Bathing Suits |
 |
| The Kitchen Sink Band |
 |
| Just joking |
 |
| View from Ally Pally |
No comments:
Post a Comment