Polite Notice

Abstract: Johnny Foreigner wow, crowd stay cool. The Mae-Shi are insane, crowd manages to jig around a bit with help of props.

It’s fair to say that Kings College is not packed for this gig. In fact, tickets were reduced in price in the hope of getting more through the door. A good idea, but one which seems to fail, perhaps due to the unseasonable weather? Who knows. At any rate, it’s a terrible shame, as these two bands deserve more.

I walk in just as Johnny Foreigner prepare to begin. It’s fair to say that they are the real reason I’ve turned out by myself for this gig. It’s also fair to say that I’m somewhat obsessed with their leaked album release. In fact, I’ve never bestowed this much attention upon a single record for this length of time. Especially one which contains just two previously unheard tracks, Lea Room and DJs Get Doubts. The sheer joy that I find in this record is seemingly untarnished time after time. Perhaps it’s the fact that I never gave more than a few listens to the original demos, or maybe, and here’s where I’m putting my money, maybe it’s just that good a record.

Anyway, Johnny Foreigner try their hardest. And they’re good, so very good. The 3-piece makes more noise than seems possible, which is the perfect amount of noise for a 3-piece. But, the crowd aren’t affected on the whole. There’s the shuffle of feet, the nod of head, the body sway, but these songs deserve more. “Hot girls know the words to our songs” but tonight they don’t. I’ll do the album justice with a review nearer to release date, but just listen to this song.

*IN DOWNLOADING THIS SONG YOU ARE ENTERING INTO A CONTRACT IN WHICH YOU PROMISE TO PRE-ORDER THE ALBUM BY CLICKING HERE. THEY NEED TO EAT.*

Johnny Foreigner – Yr All Just Jealous (Zshare)

After Johnny Foreigner depart, I spend my time in the manner of all lone gig goers. Drinking quickly and txting. I’ve enjoyed The Mae-Shi’s album HLLLYH, in all its noise-pop slendour, quite a bit this year, but nothing has prepared me for them live. Well, I’d been told that they’re “the best live band ever” and “fun” but, you hear that about a lot of bands these days. But, well, The Mae-Shi really are something else. The stage is used merely as a place to keep the instruments when they’re not being used. The drums end up in the crowd underneath a white sheet held up by the audience. The lead singer roams about, a whirlwhind of vocals, sweat and passion. I hurt my hand bashing a symbol. Guitarists catch a breath leaning on audience members shoulders. The band drape a white sheet over our heads (see above image, of said sheet at SXSW, half-inched from Flickr) and

At times it develops into chaotic noise, but it’s when stand-out album tracks Run To Your Grave, The Melody and Lamb & Lion emerge from the chaos that the smile on your face deepens. Fun isn’t the word. Perhaps mental?

Sadly, the drummers offer of “I’ll give a pound to anyone who crowd surfs” isn’t taken up, but the crowd do liven up a bit. Even then, this deserves more.

The Mae-Shi – Run To Your Grave (Zshare)

The above video conveys far more about The Mae-Shi live than I ever could with words.