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

A Silent Film, Foxes! Indika! The Jericho Tavern, 29th May 2007

A Silent Film, Foxes! Indika! The Jericho Tavern, Tuesday 29th May 2007

When I arrived at the Jericho Tavern, Indika were in full flow. This young 5 piece had plenty of energy with a sound rather like the rocky side of Oasis, and a lead singer who looks like Russell Brand, with just as much hair but not quite as much attitude. Definitely a good thing for a Love Burns Night! 

Next on were Foxes! Dan’s colourful homemade DIY bass and sunglasses along with Adam’s ‘c,ockney cap’ reminded me of the Melodic Oxford nights at the Port Mahon last summer. The Foxes! sound is somewhat quirky, almost verging on disjointed with all the groove shifting, but with Kayla’s beautiful lead vocals pulling you in and holding it all together. The crowd all bobbed pretty consistently throughout, but no one was daring enough to compete with Adam’s robot dance mid set! ‘6 O’clock,’ the first song which really grabbed me, flowing along in its storybook fashion, ‘Apples to Apples,’ the shopping song, for me, highlights the fun that Foxes! are about. They finished the set with the now classic ‘Art Girl,’ which has to be my favourite.

The last band, Silent Film, was a truly polished act, a visual and musical delight. The set included an overhead projection of a book; maybe this was the silent film, and clever synchronised lighting. Their sound to me strongly resembles that of Muse and Radiohead, a lot of the songs sound rather like a beefed up version of Thom Yorks solo album. The lead singer / keyboard player was immersed in the music throughout and the energy from the whole band, stunned the crowd. The rhythmic effect created with extra floor toms were brilliant, making an almost tribal experience. This band should certainly not stay unsigned for long.

Trev Williams
(first review)