How is it The Others are
can lay claim to being an NME cover star when there’s undoubtedly more talented
bands doing the rounds. It isn’t like there’s an epidemic of decent music and
we should let the barrel scraping commence now is there? Exactly where do bands
like The Longcut eventually fit into the mainstream scheme of things? After
release of their ‘Transition’ single - a fine piece of ranting electronica – they
were afforded plenty of industry attention and tonight, as the venereal harpies
otherwise known as the Queens of Noize play hostess (in spirit), The
Longcut bring their own piece of the north, as well as their own fan club
to the Barfly. Taking the sound scaping of Mogwai and lacing it with the
kind of drawn out sessions The Stone Roses would be proud of, The Longcut
are as far from the generic guitar scene that’s beginning to rear its head. Building
it up just to tear it down, they do it with looped samples, thumping dance bass
and ultimately a dash of Northern Soul. Singing drummers, yes you think you’ve
heard it all before but what about a singer/drummer. Stuart Ogilvie darts in between
the mic and the kit, stopping off to kickstart a sample or tinkle the ivories
if he has the time. It may not be the most practical set up but the reliance on
the music is reinforced as the mob at the front provide us with football chant
vocals. Flitting between cleaner cut Sonic Youth guitars and relaxed Doves
harmonies, they invite you to move, and with the majority of the crowd originally
with their ears to the Transmission club night downstairs, by the end of the set
at least they taught the Barfly to dance. Manchester style. Relevant sites:
http://www.thelongcut.com/
Sherief Younis for Crud Magazine 2004©
Janauary - March 2005 - News Archive | |
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