w/ LORDS
NOTTINGHAM, JUNKTION 7: 22.01.05
Lords
Sometimes good reputations can be as harmful as bad ones, expectation
levels are raised to the extent where anything less than fucking amazing
will not do. Lords carry with them a good reputation. My first experience
of their slant on blues rock n roll left a little to be desired with little
lasting impression made. Fast forward to now, supporting abnormal metal
band Todd. This time there's something different. It may very well be
me or it could be them, who knows or cares. This time Lords live up the
reputation they've acquired. Sounding close to an English Immortal Lee
County Killers, which is no mean feat. Screamy abrasive but in tune vocals
bellowing over the top of noise only to be eclipsed in volume by the big
ugly monster that is Todd. There’s tunes amongst the noise too,
which is something which bands today seem to avoid, it’s either
one or the other. Lords manage both, worryingly well.
Todd make nasty music. You could stick them in the same metaphorical pit as The Birthday Party or The Cramps. Not that they sound anything like either, but there's only a handful of bands that conjure up this kind of response to their full frontal attack on the audience. Todd don't like to be confined to the stage either. Constantly roaming throughout venue, wrestling with spectators and straddling the barrier. Front man Craig Clouse clambers from the floor covered in whatever the hell he just fell in. I'm unsure how I got this far without mentioning the level of volume. It's inhuman, but perfect. I didn't know speakers went this loud, but 25 minutes into the set my ears are beginning to pay the price. If there’s any negative points it's don't play this long if you play THAT loud. By the end I've had enough, but I’m sure Todd wouldn't have it any other way.
Review by Barry Bennett