Live Review

We Go Commando – Korova, Liverpool

• 17th Jun 2009

It seems people no longer listen to music unless it’s had the cold hands of modern technology all over it. It won’t be long until songs called ‘Binary Blues’ and ‘Papa’s Got A Brand New Primary Interface’ will be played by the Microsoft Office paperclip.

Any display of technical proficiency with a real musical instrument has been replaced with a push of a button and the turn of a few dials. At least that’s what Coma Coma Drama will have us believe.

Their art is in pushing buttons and turning dials, pressing Ctrl+R on their laptops and throwing an arbitrary sample from a recent Hollywood film into a mix of pulsing bass and harsh sounding synths. In fairness to the duo, they do play guitar and keyboard along to their surging grunge sound but it does go on for a solid thirty minutes with no breaks; it’s the manifestation of a Nathan Barley joke.

On next is Picture Book who offer up some very inventive tunes. Mixing Burial style beats with live percussion, ambient electro and violins; this trio are one of the most inventive bands we’ve seen in a while. Front woman Lady Aya has a powerful voice comparable to Elizabeth Frazer or Shara Nelson. Other members Master Toko and Lord Highowl (no, seriously) provide rhythm and chaos that compliments Aya’s serene presence.

Talking of rhythm and chaos, the band Dire Wolfe is not averse to both. There’s the light touch of Coral-esque screeching guitars tuned with the young confidence of Cajun Dance Party. Front man Dan Croll’s eagerness sees him jumping into the crowd at least twice. It’s enthusiasm that’s infectious with the intimate crowd; there’s not a single hip that’s not shaking.

There’s a mix of surf-pop riffs, crashing interludes and trumpet solos that show they have the tunes to be more than just another indie-pop band from Liverpool.

Photo by: Khalil M. Musa.