50 Foot Wave crash onto these shores tonight at a packed out Garage in Highbury, their first show this side of the Atlantic.
2003 was a big year for Kristin Hersh, having cleverly negotiated twelve precarious months involving a solo album, an all-new Throwing Muses album (the first for seven years) and the birth of child number 4, plus starting this new band: a juggling act that would have most mere mortals on the ropes.
Thus far, 50 Ft Wave have released a debut 6 track ep and a 14 track "Live in Seattle" Digital bootleg available to Download via throwingmusic.com, with another EP due early in 2005. A series of short albums (releases are promised every 9 months) and long tours (100 gigs a year) are the order of the day. So much for growing old gracefully, huh?
Aside from Kristin, 50Ft Wave also feature Muses mainstay Bernard Georges ( bass), and new recruit drummer Rob Ahlers. Kristin has declared him one of the best drummers she's ever worked with and on tonight's performance, it's not hard to see why.
So, with the buzz generated by reputation and a loyal fan base bigging up the propaganda, the crowd are in place for the band's apperance onstage. The only noticeable difference is an apology about the lack of hands which results in the merchandise stand left empty.
“Bug” kicks us off. It's furious, intelligent adult punk
energy. “C’mon play the goddamn music, I know we fell apart a while ago,” urges Kristin. The band never compromise and this music is intended to be played live and upfront. “Lavender” And “Long Painting“ are equally loud and vital and an indication that anyone turing up expecting the quirkiness of Throwing Muses are gonna have their sensibilities turned upside down.
Several new songs continues in the same vein. In terms of passion, commitment, these are relentlessly tight and parade big, fleshy bass hooks and drumming that jumps through hoops.
Kristin isn’t a willing participent with her audience tonight, keeping it simple and direct. With this band, though, that's more than enough. Indeed, in this context, Hersh's performance is astonishing and her unrelentingly explosive, husky vocals are remarkable.
|
She effortlessly sustains the aggression throughout the set, and her inherent charisma alone casts 50Ft Wave in a favourable light as a would-be, female Nirvana. Sure, you can scoff if you like, but the same intensity's there, and tonight it's intoxicating to enjoy this experienced female vocalist in complete control and at the top of her game.
The massively rampant but disciplined and shouty single in waiting “Clara Bow” is a giant song that deserves at the very least to be a cult radio classic for years to come. Hearing the bug-eyed Kristin add her special tinge of vitriol to the lines: “Yes, all right, I can, With sunburned lips I can bitch, about another stupid summer” is one of the highlights of the evening.
It's followed by “Dog Days”, where she again excels with the hookine “Don’t touch me I don’t know where you’ve been.” The lyrics are of the highest order and riffs are horribly contagious.
After an incendiary 45 minutes, Hersh acknowledges the end of the set with a half wave and leaves the stage with the rest of the band to rapt applause. Despite her ongoing cult status, Kristin Hersh has been overlooked commercially way too often, but with 50Ft Wave, she may finally have stumbled upon the alchemy to dominate on her own terms. She's still very much of a cause to champion, so hitch a ride on the one new wave to follow to the beach and beyond.
|
