Issue 34 / June 2013

30
Bido Lito!
June 2013
Reviews
Mystery Jets (Jack Thompson / m0nks.co.uk)
Using stars and moon imagery within its lyrics,
the metaphor represents two people being
abundantly different but helplessly drawn
together. Former Cocteau Twins bassist and Bella
Union founder Simon Raymonde evidently sees
how the track hums with undertones of these
inspirations, as he recently played Dust & Coal
on his Amazing Radio show.
McCool delivers a unique bonus track as
her lucky number 7. “Has anyone seen the
film Drive?” she asks the audience. The film’s
distinctive soundtrack inspired her very own
rendition of the track Nightcall by Kavinsky. An
addictive take on the film’s original, it was later
discovered and imitated by the winner of the
French version of Pop Idol, gaining McCool a
few new French followers.
The final track of the night from the selfconfessed
guitar fanatic is Thin Air, which
features none other than Suede’s Bernard
Butler playing lead on the album’s recorded
version. As well as combining her own Johnny
Marr-type influences, this parting shot goes to
prove the stature McCool stands in right now.
If her debut album needs any icing on the top,
then tonight is surely it.
Gemma Montgomery
MYSTERY JETS
The Dirty Rivers – The Razz – Sankofa
Evol @ East Village Arts Club
The impressive bill of acts on show here
tonight includes a largely homegrown pool of
talent, consisting of the type of bands that will
benefit most from playing these kinds of gigs
and gaining much deserved recognition. Fuzzy
garage rock types SANKOFA and THE RAzz are
tasked with getting things started at the venue
nice and early, and both receive a rousing
reception from the healthy numbers that are
ensconced for the early proceedings. Fivepiece
stalwarts of the Liverpool music scene
THE DIRTy RIVERS are up next. Their blend of
huge distortion, riffs and unprecedented stage
presence pays homage to the likes of Black
Rebel Motorcycle Club and even Sonic youth
in parts, and they play to a packed venue, with
many fans knowing every word.
Following the release of last year’s Radlands,
their fourth full-length effort to date, it feels like
MySTERy JETS have already toured it to death
(this is their third visit to the city in twelve
months). Not that this is a problem of course,
as the band get straight into the swing of
things by launching into set opener Someone
Purer. Released last year as the first single from
Radlands, the song builds up slowly to rapturous
reception from the now ecstatic crowd. Crunchy,
building guitars and drifting vocals from Blaine
Harrison and William Rees provide a sonic
backdrop that is unique to Mystery Jets, with
influences and imagery drawn from Deep South
American culture. Appearing on the album of the
same name, Serotonin, and subsequently Flash
A Hungry Smile, gains an even greater response
from tonight’s audience. Amongst the choppy,
twanging Fender guitars of Flash A Hungry
Smile is a subtle movement into an unforeseen
cover of Jet by Paul McCartney & Wings, one
that is lapped up by tonight’s very receptive
crowd. The band are on form, delivering a set
more than worthy of an opening night in one
of the city’s most exciting new venues. Largely
drawing upon their most recent album for most
of this set, other notable highlights are fan
favourites young Love
and Lost In Austin.
With smiles beaming all around, and shouts
of “Two Doors Down!” in the air, it’s evident
that an encore is required. Half In Love With
Elizabeth, and the requested Two Doors Down,
turn the room into a huge sing-along, as if it
might as well be 2008 all over again. Coming
to a close with the largely underrated Alice
Springs, Mystery Jets have gone about their
business with effortless talent and a feeling
that they really still enjoy playing live as much
as their fans enjoy watching them. A night that
has seen one of their finest performances in
Liverpool to date draws to an end, with the band
disappearing backstage to huge applause. Can
Liverpool get enough of Mystery Jets?
John Wise / @John__Wise
NHK’KOYXEN
Isocore - Bantam Lions
Deep Hedonia @ Blade Factory
Live electronic music has always been
accompanied by carefully pre-recorded visuals,
as, besides their capacity to complement the
ongoing soundscapes, their repetitiveness and
circular configuration is able to induce hypnotic
states. However, the collaborative force
here between the prodigious events group
Deep Hedonia and the stunningly gifted Jon
Barraclough of Drawing Paper, plus Madeleine
Gig Guide and Ticket Shop live at www.bidolito.co.uk