TROUBLES (London Water Rats, 30/3/07)

Support bands are an inevitability of the gig circuit; a chance for up-and-coming bands to gain some performing experience and for the audience to have something to listen to whilst the main act snorts lines off hookers or violate horses or whatever rock stars do before shows. More often than not, they’re no more than average mediocrities, at best getting you to nod your head and vaguely note to check out their MySpace. Then you’ve got the godawful support bands, whose songs get lost in a fuzz of terrible acoustics and ineptitude and force all those with a semblance of sense to retreat to the sanctuary of the bar and a stiff drink.

But recently, I’ve seen quite a few bands that fall into a third category; the ones that are actually rather good. In fact, since the start of this year I’ve seen several opening acts that have equalled or even surpassed the headliner I’ve come to see; stand up Make Good Your Escape, Lonely Dear and Peter and the Wolf. Friday’s gig at the London Water Rats was another case in point. It’s not as though Hope of the States splinter band ‘Troubles’ weren’t good. Their understated post-rock was often beautiful, and the final track was as good an instrumental as HOTS ever came up with; the problem was the lack of variation. On the other hand, openers Revere had a similar post-rock formula (albeit more of the rock-out, EITS variety) but they mixed in enough unusual elements spice things up a bit. With some Beirut horns, Coral-style bounciness and Matt Bellamy vocals, they added enough to the increasingly staid genre to make them sound fresh and interesting. More importantly, they put on a fucking superb performance- for an last-billed support band playing at the back of a pub to 40 people, they certainly know how to impress. Passionate, intense and professional, I’ve seen bands play in venues twenty times the size who weren’t half as good as these guys. Shame their recorded stuff is a bit bland, but as a live proposition I have to say that these folks are unmissable. Kudos also due to the other support, the female-fronted rockers Cheap Motel who perhaps performed with more zest than actual innovation, but whose great line in rock showmanship (and the ability to play their feminine wiles to the hilt) provided for a very energetic and enjoyable set.

I also saw I’m From Barcelona again on Tuesday; just as utterly, wonderfully, euphorically joyous as ULU, but unfortunately without the big fuck-off stage invasion at the end. Dragged Ollie with me, even though he knew nothing of them prior to the show he was left absolutely speechless at how brilliant they were. Not much I can add to what I said last time, but if you like bands the Flaming Lips, I cannot impress on you enough how much you need to see IMB. Less than a show than a full-scale party!