Live Review

Jeffrey Lewis – Bodega Social, Nottingham

• 9th Sep 2009

Judging by the hustle and bustle of the downstairs bar, I’m guessing that Jeff Lewis (Jeff) has proven to be quite an attraction for Nottingham’s Social Bodega. Has Jeff really produced such a turnout and, by default, this great atmosphere? I reckon so. The under-sized poster by the doorway seems to sadly hang unnoticed, as it begs for attention from its position, some two feet above the crowd, shame too, given that the 3 headed lizard depicted is such a beauty! Nevertheless, Jeff (and hopefully, Jack his brother) is here in this party-ready house. I’m allured upstairs as heightened intrigue and the muffled sounds of Derby lad Ben Webster (Ben) enter my consciousness.

I join in when Bens song “about girls & potatoes” kicks in; it’s kickass but seemingly, to stay in the mode of the night, humility hangs heavily in the air and not even the support act can escape its spell. Nobody must take anything away from (here by coincidence and dare I say good fortune) Bens input though, and despite my first interaction with Jack, I find myself distracted from that which should be focused upon (sorry Ben), but SHIT!!! I just shook hands with a down to earth and eager to meet & greet Jack, as he mans the bountiful merchandise stand.
Ben proves his fearlessness with an amazing twenty second a cappella section of a song that engages his audience. He follows with a song about STDs and trades guitar for keys to play what he describes as “the most romantic song he’s written”. I figure, given the theme of the song, that I can be forgiven for mistaking his lyrics “think I’m James Dean, but I’m just a car crash” with “think I’m James Dean, but I’m just a cock rash”! Bens night winds down as his mood apparently takes a turn toward despair, turning his back on the more joyous sounds he’s served up until now. He exits the stage and passes through the applauding 60+ people that have clearly enjoyed his performance. Good show, well done Ben.

I see Jack relinquish his duties at the busying stall of goodies, in order to prepare for the stage and his spot-lit shenanigans. It’s now 8pm and we’re treated to some glorious Gomez back catalogue through the sound system. I relax and treat myself to a beer, walking bar-wards to the sound of ‘Get myself arrested’ and as I reposition myself, Jack takes to the stage and wastes no time in telling the tale that lies behind his first song.

Jack and his band mates break into Michael Jacksons ‘They don’t care about us’, a song Jack discovered when asked to contribute to a tribute album and, despite his initial reluctance, here we are! The fact that this rendition sounds like The Clangers on Lithium is, I’m sure, all the more pleasing to all and overshadowed only by the brief applaud which hides its true majesty. Jack dons some brilliantly yellow shades now, and being a likeminded shade wearing fellow, my instinct tells me he’s about to pull out all the stops. Jack rocks as his free-flowing lyrics ride every riff. It’s 8:15pm and the room is almost full of Jeff and Jack aficionados and it’s quite a sweet thing to behold.

We’re informed that Jack had planned to record tonight’s show, then, that the show is actually being recorded after all! Simon the trumpeter is met with a warm welcome and after his introduction, we continue with a guitar wielding Jack, having what could be the infectious time of his life! The song closes and with humility once again in his heart Jack states “that could be the second or third time people have danced to that song”. We’re all, as a general life skill I feel, informed to “fight the urge to reach for a blanket, sit down with a cup of tea or to settle for watching TV”. As the next song unfolds, the crowd gently shimmy and sway a little more, so they’re warming or perhaps heeding the aforementioned advice. “Tip the bar staff, hey, tip the band”. Nice one Jack, very instructive and insightful too!

Thanking Ben (and everyone here tonight) for the help, it becomes clear that Jack could talk forever and ever, as he repeatedly peels his heat riddled tee from his chest. They close with a song that’s mutually gratifying for all and before folk pause for a fag break, Jacks Jeff-less section of the show closes to great and affectionate applause. The place is packed and Simon is now manning the booty as Jeff addresses the audience from the centre stage. Jeff misses touring with Herman Dune, another brother based band that apparently, share similar internal struggles. Jeff and Jack admit they share the same general perspective however, so no foreseeable fretting on the road for the Lewis’ I guess!

Jeff brags and boasts a little, of how he’s denied NYC the use of a drummer (Raphi) for a month. Sure, he’s not the only drummer, but he’s the only drummer with his own kit, given that NYC apartments are so small! Jeff’s band tonight, along with Jack, is made up of a member of The Bronx and of Fishermen 3. Doing 0-60, Jeff opens the show with his trademark, lyric riddled, diverse sound. The crowd love it of course and the overall vibe intensifies. Like a beat poet on speed, Jeff sings through the sometimes incomprehensible wall of sound that blissfully envelops him. It’s magical and the opener closes to rapture!

Somewhat comically, when Jeff asks Jack to sing more, Jack replies “I would if I knew the words”. Jeff then shares a little ‘film’ with us and proceeds to incisively narrate to the unfolding slideshow that his synchronistical sketchpad and its turning pages provides. Great idea indeed and to pull it off live, well it’s just showing off, right? Whatever it boils down to, we all want more more more!
A little rhythm gets the musical mightiness on its merry way once more, again accompanied by a fluent stream of consciousness from Jeff. I take a minute to process just how easy it might be to ad-lib, in case of any forgotten lyrics and decide that if Jeff ever uses the method, he doesn’t let it show at all; his performance is ridiculously fantastic and his rugged (an aged Gaz from Supergrass perhaps) persona disguises the massive talent within. Kick yourself for missing this one folks! On-stage banter unfolds once more and to listen to Jeff communicate is comparable with listening to a 33rpm record at 45rpm; both fascinating and entertaining but, we haven’t seen anything yet!

Jeff launches into a finger-clicking and hand-clapping accompanied gangsta-rap. He covers the topic of mosquitoes as he smoothly carries the tempo nicely to an applauded finale. In stark contrast, a sentiment driven track follows, revealing the human behind the robotic clone that’s surely on stage right now! From a song about Jeffs worst day, I pick out the words “Truth is stranger than fashion” and they please, as does the respect he feels for this place being called the Bodega, with obvious reverence for the “little Mexican corner markets that are found in the states”. A bemused audience agree, with stifled nervous laughter adding a subtle awkwardness to the brief interaction.

It’s noteworthy that both Jeff’s and the band really project their captivating spirit and to remind us, we’re treated to a couple of balls-out, jam-filled tracks that see Jeff and Jack bouncing around like partially separated conjoined twins, before the Crass song ‘End Result’ calms the mood a little. Jeff thanks all once more, adding thanks for the “balding skin and bone” that he sees himself as. It’s a sincere and honest outreach that almost outstays its welcome, so on with another short sketchbook-bound ‘film’. It’s a black and white detective affair with lyrics like “milkshake dressing bone” (?) and “I fuck my saxophone”! All very well received, as is the news that there are a couple more tracks on their way.

‘Heavy Heart’ is a popular track, illustrated perfectly by the response of this elated crowd and, whilst all very nice (yes, nice), I still stand here waiting for my personal favourite that I’d assured myself must be on the set-list. And what do you know – ‘Back when I was 4’ follows. It’s a great track and it sounds as good tonight as it does on CD. Hurrah! The entertainment winds down and for reasons of practicality, I decline to offer digs to the band who are looking for somewhere to stay, I’m certain they’ll have no trouble.

One last track then! ‘No LSD tonight’ (a track I first heard on an amazing Maida Vale session) propels the crowd into unexpected overdrive as the band melds into a synergy-fuelled noise machine that rattles and yes, rocks! Everyone in the room is seemingly taken aback by the mutually beheld spectacle. Memorable to say the least and enforced by my meeting Jeff after the gig. Onward as always, I pester a couple for some input regarding the evening… welcome to this review then Bethan and Lee:-

Bethan & Lee – “The night has been awesome, some are saying the sound system wasn’t all that, but I was still blown away and Jeff’s charismatic sincerity shone through as usual. The rap about mosquitoes was a personal highlight, along with Life, one of my favourites. Jeff is always good and tonight was no exception. Jeff’s a wonderful, wonderful guy who I am reeling over the pleasure of meeting”.