Live Review

Ipso Facto – Plug N Play, Reading

• 10th Mar 2009

The second ‘Revelry’ night at Reading’s Plug and Play kicks off with local singer/songwriter Paul Hodgson, and from the start of his first number Paul captures the audience with his puppy-dog enthusiasm. His brand of jaunty summery pop owes a lot to Jack Penate, but one can’t help but think forward to the festival season, and pray that Hodgson is heard somewhere along the line.

www.myspace.com/paulhodgsonmusic

Conversely, front man Colin Halliwell from Two Wounded Birds, last minute replacements, is so ice cold you can see the icicles hanging from his guitar. However, his demeanour perfectly suits his band’s ‘60s garage sound, with a nasal singing style which owes much to Graham Coxon. On this showing, the band’s rudimentary influences (White Stripes, Arctic Monkeys) show promise, but need to up their game if they plan to headline these nights. A little more excitement as a live spectacle wouldn’t go a miss. Bassist Ally Blackgrove over does the mean and moody look on stage. Standing on the spot with the same expressionless frown for the entire set screams “I’m attractive, look at me in awe”. Unfortunately this just comes across as un founded arrogance which leaves her ice cold. As a spectacle your better off going to the bar or outside for a smoke whilst TwoWoundedBirds hurry nervously through their set. At least there you may find something engaging.

www.myspace.com/twowoundedbirdsfficial

Sixty Watt Bayonets, and specifically singer Penny Bayonet, attack each of their numbers with a shouting vocal style that seems to work well with their Strokes-driven rhythms, even if that seems an unlikely pairing in print. The clear unity with the band generates a tremendous noise which reverberates well around the venue’s enclosed walls. Just when you think they can’t go any louder, Penny ferociously beats an unsuspecting nearby floor tom, whilst Billy Bayonet (see what they did there?) clutches his bass near his knees in a vain attempt to wring one last drop of volume out of it. Beth Ditto has a lot to answer for.

www.myspace.com/sixtywattbayonets

Headliners Ipso Facto bring a sense of style to the proceedings, with matching bob haircuts and accordingly co-ordinated outfits, which immediately brings to mind comparisons with Blondie. Unfortunately, their Elastica-esque synth-rock doesn’t immediately live up to the positive first impression, with keyboard sounds that ultimately lead nowhere. But the band soon forge their own path, the spiralling lead guitar perfectly complimenting the chiming vocals. The music suits this winter of discontent aptly, and contains a sense of impending doom and things will never get better, until you pay further attention to the precise harmonies that the band perform as one. Ultimately though, Ipso Facto’s sound transfers better on record than live.

Review by Richard Bowes
Photo by Alex Cooke