If you're a regular round here, you're probably about ready to strangle us when we begin yet another review with a phrase along the lines of "hey guys - guess what? we've got YET ANOTHER COOL BAND FROM LEEDS YOU SHOULD HEAR." Right?
Well, you'll have the exercise restraint and keep that fashionable straight jacket on for that little bit longer, because THE IVORIES are...YET ANOTHER COOL BAND FROM LEEDS. They are an all-girl quartet featuring Helena Gee (vocals), Emma Rowe (guitar), Cathy Russell (bass) and drummer Anna Prior. They are labelmates with dark'n'menacing lads-in-waiting Black Wire and deluxe starsailors Parisman and come brandishing a really rather fine debut single in "Reduce The Temperature."
Produced by Choque Hosein at Leeds' Leopard's Lounge, it begins with dreamy-but-ominous, tom-heavy drums, soms sharp, slightly Keith Levene-ish guitar and Cathy's bass prowling the melodic boundaries in purposeful fashion. There's a distinct Siouxsie-ish inflection in Helena's voice and overall you're liable to think in terms of early Banshees and Slits as much as you are the likes of the Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster, who it turns out these have previously shared stages with.
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B-side "Disappointment" (it's anything but, actually) is another welcome, atmosphere-oozing affair. Opening with a weirdo "oh-oooh" vocal drone, it's in touch with the still-current vogue for all things spiky and post-punk without ever trying too hard to flag down the bandwagon as it careers past. Which is always a sign of a band doing something right in my book.
The Ivories, then, are undoubtedly another intriguing, class-exuding bunch from the West Yorks hinterland you'll need to monitor in the next 12 months. Yeah, maybe we HAVE said that before, but it remains the sensible thing to do. Even when the NME and their ilk have moved on, this city will have it going on, so once again I'd suggest you ignore this band at your peril.
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