Jon Spencer comes with a strong reputation. Introduced to this reviewer as a natural precursor of the White Stripes, as well as a king of showmanship and general guitar-wielding genius, it's natural to expect something of a performance. Perhaps even something innovative.
The something innovate this evening comes from The Micragirls. A Finnish all-girl trio, looking resplendent but adorned in attire that wouldn't have looked out of place with the Nazi Youth. Red blouses and blue skirts all round, it is easy to be phased by a carefully planned out image, and you cannot help but raise a wry smile and expect something rather contrived.
So it's nice to be pleasantly surprised. Vocally akin to the female half of the Von Bondies, the tunes are simple, but they're fun. It's punk-pop performed by the enthusiastic and the good natured. They know and we know that it's all a little bit daft, but what is wrong with that? Perhaps if the 5,6,7,8's had actually been good, this is what they would have sounded like. They have fun with their audience, celebrating a brief guitar solo, and introducing silly 'dances' to the mix (led by keyboardist Kata, who seems to be having even more fun than the audience) which amount to little more than waving you're arm around your head. But most importantly, you're tempted to join in.
It can be tough for a support act to win over a crowd, but The Micragirls could charm even the most hard-hearted of Interpol fans. Laugh with them, not at them, for that is where the fun is. They're not naff; they have the tunes and the attitude. They leave you wanting more and there is no way you can think back to their set and not smile. Infectious in all the right places.
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So from the high of a quality support act, we have the mediocrity of HEAVY TRASH. You have to be brave to put the word 'trash' in your band name without being amazing. Just ask Garbage. Heavy Trash are 'just a band.' The advertising for this evening plays on the name involved and that is perhaps part of the problem.
No more accomplished than a wedding swing band, tonight's offering is the bottom line of the blues. Had they come with no history attached, Heavy Trash could have been written off as merely being competent at what they do. Where I sought inspiring, I found banal. If you must imitate the King at times, at least be a pretender to the throne. It was pleasant enough at times, but on the whole the set was tedious at best. It wasn't for lack of effort; all involved seemed to be trying to put on one hell of a performance. But it's about more than costumes and professionalism; just ask Micragirls!
Perhaps in years to come, Jack White will do something like this. Take a strong legacy and kill it by becoming nothing more than a tribute act to a genre that he is supposed to rule. This was a headline set for fans only. But for the music fan looking for something to put a spring in their step – The Micragirls are the ones to watch. Hopefully supporting a band near you... and soon.
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