Repression Repercussion
The Craufurd was once again a venue to check out on the last weekend, the name tonight being the Japanese Voyeurs. Unlike what you might find from a Google search (as the Frantic Alice crew found…) these guys are a London-based, sleazy grunge-fest who bring teenage angst back to the forefront of music. Along for the ride are the sleaze of Lionsex and Frantic Alice, plus also a bit of a wild card with Equinox and their new lineup being on the bill too. Downtune your guitars and hold on, this one could get bumpy…
After a bit of a hiatus and a lineup change, Equinox are back and not just looking, but sounding very different with the addition of Sian Magill on the vocals. With that in mind, it’s no surprise that punchy undertones have given way to some softer melodic touches. Along with that it seems a few of the heavier songs have been dropped and the band have concentrated on the lighter approaches in their reportoire, though “California” and it’s stiff rock roots does make an appearance. In all honesty you can hear the nerves in the Equinox camp as it’s one of their first forays back into the electric gigs. With the change in sound, it’s going to be some time for people to get used to the band again, though hopefully in time the band will hit the ground running and then we can really see what they do, plus what particular direction the crew will be going in.
If there’s one thing Frantic Alice have always seemed to enjoy, it’s playing a live gig in front of a gaggle of fans. But there’s been changes in this band too, the trio now joined by newcomer Rob who’s supplying some extra rhythm and vocals to the overall 8o’s glam rock vibe, though the guys do look admittedly a little underdressed. But at least with that extra weight on board, the guys can afford getting lost in the music as Jack dives into the audience as usual and the feedback is cranked up, it’s a much wilder ride this time around. With a lot of movement and just rolling off their numbers like Pretty ‘Lil Rock Star, it’s been by far the best gig from the guys so far, and that’s saying something when the band have gone from strength to strength in the live circuit as it is, onwards and upwards, as they say.
Put together grungy sounds, and a petite girl who squeals away like a kitten possessed and you will most probably end up with Japanese Voyeurs, an outfit from London who tailor for some very heavy underground grooves. The vocals are raunchy and the rest of the outfit is downright dirty, noisy, loose and grungy, something that looks out of place in the pitch-perfect pop punk that is seen more often than not these days, a seedy and guilty pleasure. The set is just plowed straight through so there’s not much time to catch your breath, but that’s the beauty of it, there’s no showboating with these guys, just all out energy with the heaviest beats and coarse riffs. At the end of the day, they might not be beautiful or to everyone’s taste, but this is the Japanese Voyeurs and they they couldn’t care less what you think.
Lionsex take a pew on the headline slot with a bit of an extensive set, the recent news with the band is their new album and the band seem keen to showcase most of it. The lineup is still rather minimal but the energy is still there with the usual showy flair and brave dress sense on Davy and Jeff’s behalf (check out that red fuzzy jacket, if that isn’t camp, I don’t know what is). Regardless of clothing, or the lack of it for Jeff later on, the set is given a kick start to drive into a rock n roll ruckus with a bunch of songs like “Get It” and “Rocket 2 Ur Heart” that most of their fans know off by heart now, it might not exactly be tightly packed, but whatever the numbers are, the Lionsex pride usually seem to make a show of it with tonight not being much of an exception. At the end the lads decide to squeeze in just one more to give the set a proper send off. Though, it’s hard to wonder how the guys feel about their current setup, they’re still playing gigs but it somehow feels like they want that extra guitar so they can cut loose again on the live set.
Craig \m/
Lionsex on Myspace
Japanese Voyeurs on Myspace
Frantic Alice on Myspace
Equinox on Myspace
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