Shimmying my way through the filthy streets of Dalston, I stumbled upon the rickety Trinity Centre Hall. An idealistic venue reeking with preadolescent frivolities to cater the night’s wingding curated by the Upset the Rhythm crew.
The patchwork quilt members brought in their own booze and pea coats ready for an onslaught of clatter/drool.
Opening outfit Trash Kit got the momentum rolling with their short and sharpish numbers containing a fleet of chunky baselines that raced into roadrunner frenzy. Decked out in war paint and flag bearing uniforms, this threesome were aesthetically pleasing and managed to display maturity beyond their short years. The hype will gather some extra legs on the back of their performance and potential.
Following on from the grrly barrage, were local dalstonites Male Bonding. Recently signed to sub pop, this gang of three are permeating through the blogosphere and unconventional scene. Tonights show remonstrated references to the likes of no age and any other punk drunkards on the muck scene. These males had bucket loads of bangin' drums and abrupt riffs for each track. It is difficult to sift through the hoards of alternatives these days; mind you I am keen to follow these chaps through the deep thick woods.
To cap off we had some knee jerking tones with the Vivian Girls, who are the epitome of the lo-fi/grunge movement in Brooklyn. The apparent dictator and visionary of the trio is Cassie Ramone on guitar/vox walking the tight rope with Kickball Katy on bass and Ali Koehler on the skins. A tight set was shipped effortlessly, which took some convincing for the lethargic assembly. The mediocre start was surpassed when the A Cappella version of the Chantel’s 'He’s Gone' struck our inner chords with delight. It wasn’t until 'Wild Eyes' that things really hit full steam ahead; maybe it was the corollary of a weekend full of liquid gold or some shoddy hot salt beef, but it took a while for the cool kids and V girls to hit their straps.
Posted In Live Reviews, Feb 02 2010.
Words - Chez De Bartolo