MIDWEEKER #24
Never say that Midweeker doesn't know how to have an odd time. Monday night in the East End of Cor Blimey London Town and the mood is distinctly mixed, not least because we have just left the handsome summery indiepop vibes of TAHITI 80 (see big hair, sad guitars, breezy tunes, good times vibes for all and sundry) at the Spitz and scampered along to Brick Lane where, at 93 Feet East, Southern Records' gloriously gloomy BLACK HEART PROCESSION (see sad guitars, sad piano, sad tunes, good time vibes for anyone with a passing interest in having really quite a sad, slow time) are being a bit glum.
Other good things this week: Black Heart Procession labelmates BILLY MAHONIE threw some splendidly angular instrumental shapes at their sold out low-key return at the Dublin Castle on Tuesday, ably supported by cheeky punk/pop newcomers REUBEN. Freshly brewed from the very same geographical tea leaves (ie Surrey) which have thus far given the rock underground the likes of Hundred Reasons, Vex Red and Caretaker, Reuben are a fierce yet beamingly entertaining three-piece whose sheer musical diversity belies the fact that they barely look old enough to shave.
Speaking of both a) shaving and b) throwing some splendidly angular shapes, Friday saw Midweeker cruise up to the sunny confines of Glasgow for a spot of post-everything bodypopping with your friends and ours LAPSUS LINGUAE. Playing at the 13th Note for the launch of the local 'Smoke' compilation CD alongside the likes of SINGLE POINT OF LIGHT (bold, slashing indie rockers) and MY LEGENDARY GIRLFRIEND (chirpy old school indie tuneage from the bloke who put the whole 'Smoke' caboodle together), Lapsus Linguae remain the same devilishly debonair quartet who rocked Midweeker's world so vehemently a couple of months back. Think Godspeed...! Think Bad Seeds. Think Muse being tortured by sexy punk rock elves. Then put yourself in a steaming Hope & Anchor-style basement in Scotland with a bunch of braying lunatics and wait for the fireworks to start spinning.
Which doesn't give us time to tell you about Seafood and easyworld and Pupkin at King Tut's or Rock Of Travolta at the Bull & Gate or My First Knife Fight or Homescience at the Dublin Castle... damn those word counts!
Simon Williams
Midweeker gig total: 114
