A Silent film + Fixers + Scholars Cellar, Oxford 3.6.10

A dark dingy venue is not always the ideal spot on a sunny day, but this line-up was tempting despite the potential sauna.  Scholars were even better tonight than the punt showcase and despite having to replace the keyboard player with Josh covering on guitar they seemed more dynamic.   Escape plan, and Turbulence were the stand out songs, and they are fast becoming the next Franz Ferdinand.

Fixers were a new band for me, so I didn’t know what to expect at all, and I have to say that after the gig I still am a bit lost!  Such an eclectic mix of styles and influences it was hard to keep up.  5 part vocal Beachboys harmonics over a rock backing, Moby soundscapes with Freddie Mercury flamboyancy, ultimately the best comparison is of a new David Bowie at his most eccentric.  There is no doubting the musical and vocal ability of this band, but one feels that it’s either hone in a few of the mad ideas or go the whole hog and wear starman makeup!

It has been far too long since the last Silent Film hometown gig, and they are taking the rest of the world by storm it seems.   Already big in Portugal with a number 1 single and top 3 album, and about to break into the American market as well.  The City That Sleeps is a masterpiece in its own right, but despite this, and the fact that there isn’t enough piano based music in the world, it somehow seemed to go almost unnoticed here.  Tonight was more a showcase of new material, and perhaps showing the European influence rubbing into their established sound.  Driven by Their Beating Hearts being a stand out track, more a dance pop anthem that would have won Eurovision easily!  Their sound needed a bit more breathing room than the Cellar offered really, as did some of us at this point, but we look forward to the second album with eager anticipation.  Wake up UK these guys are far too good to be just an export. 

Trev Williams
published in OMS 10

Punt review, Oxford 12 May 2010

Punt review 12 May 2010

Nightshift’s flagship unsigned band night ‘the punt’ is like the Holy Grail for many Oxford bands, hoping to springboard their musical career to new heights from it.  This year was no exception with an eclectic mix of acts who mostly seemed nervous at what the night might hold for them.

Helen Pearson opened the night well, with her delicately written folk songs relaxing the crowd at the Malmaison hotel one of two new venues this year.  The Anydays, hoping for a Britpop revival, seem dated to say the least.  Although a couple of stand out syncopated songs referencing The Beatles Taxman got the crowd going, much of their set was similar to a cover band playing songs you half recognise.

The Hype around Dead Jerichos in Oxford is big, and they have an impressive list of upcoming shows including Cornbury and Truck festival.  Rhythmically one of the tightest Oxford bands going, and possibly one with the most energy and enthusiasm.  Vocally there is still room for improvement but as a live band they are great to get some energy pumping.

The Sound of Beard of Zeuss at the Cellar was immense, although hearing someone throwing up down a microphone isn’t everyone’s cup of tea so for me it was off to new venue Coco Royal.  The Roundheals, it’s nice to see more folk acoustic music represented this year, and Hillbilly yodels with rich three part harmonies from songs like Let Me Sleep were a welcome reward for having trekked down there.

Ute for me were one standout band of the night, with an interesting mix of light and shade throughout their set.  Lead singer Ollie’s vocal reminded me of Jack White at its most grainy, and Thom Yorke at its most delicate.  Their songs are complex, intellectual epics which you can happily find new corners to for many listens.  Following them came Scholars who were tight as ever, and playing to one of the biggest crowds I saw of the night.  Their new song Escape Plan sounding at least as good as their single Turbulence, so more of the same to come one guesses.  By this point the Purple Turtle bouncers had starting IDing everyone who came in as a fun way to keep them amused… luckily a bank card prevented me missing my last highlight another great band Spring Offensive.  They seemed to be the band having the most fun, and crowd reaction reciprocated this with sing alongs and dancing.  Definitely a band to follow up.

Trev Williams
Published on OxfordMusicBlog, with Tom Jowett 
http://oxfordmusicblog.co.uk/2010/07/overdue-oxford-punt-review/