Music rant, duck and cover...

Today i got a little bored at work so started writing a couple of gig reviews. Very few people have the patience to listen me rant about gigs and even fewer are interested. With the exception of perhaps Mr. Reay. Writing it down helps us all out. read it if you want.

The thing that grates me about new music today is that very few nbands (especially in the Yorkshire area) appear to be doing anything new. At first glance this is certainly true of The Johnsons. I first saw them play at Thee Box at Asylum about two months ago and I have to honestly say that it was perhaps the worst gig of my entire life (bar perhaps Daniel O’Donnell). Although lead by a very strong lead vocalist, Matt Addison, the rest of the band seemed far more interested in standing around looking pretty and playing poor imitation libertines riffs than actually making any half decent or vaguely interesting music. What is so interesting about super skinny jeans and toni and guy hair cuts anyway? In my opinion; nothing, especially when you have to pay £4 to see it.

A serious rant was required after the gig to unsuspecting friends. I don’t think it really helped that I was nursing a bit of a broken heart after excitedly awaiting the return of The Edible 5 Ft Smiths only to watch Matt literally fall on his face (but that’s a story for another day).

So my expectations for last night’s gig were not high, although I had been informed that The Johnson’s now have a new drummer ;) and guitarist. However last night they showed flashed of real potential. Let JP the guitarist take more of a lead and they could be on to a real winner – he shows actual skill and love of music rather than trying hard to make noise and look cool like the muppets on lead and bass. Maybe I’m wrong, maybe that is exactly what being in a band is all about, I don’t think so though.

Problems with the sound didn’t help but keep at it boys, with some more experimental drumming and a better bass player you could be on to something good.