Frankie and the Heartstrings/ Swanton Bombs/ Islet
Where: Start The Bus // When: 23/01/2010
by Ben Street
Islet are a unique phenomena, in that they are a band with relative online anonymity. They’ve shunned the conventional band Myspace page and seem to genuinely care less about publicising themselves and more about the organic pleasure of creating music - which is refreshing. Ironically it is this very oddity that has presented them more exposure and media interest, than dare-I-say their music. However this is all debatable and tonight is all about live performance, not media hype.
Previously having been described as ‘D.I.Y no-wave’ by NME, there sound is certainly eclectic, ranging from mad, stabby At The Drive-In(esque) post hardcore to more melodic, haunting pieces with pulsating rhythmic sections. There live show is just as incongruous and tonight intensely sombre moments quickly swell to sheer walls of sound, erratic yelps and wild body movements. Also it’s nice to see a non-misogynistic approach to instrument duties, with every member of the Cardiff based four-piece playing just about everything available.
Swanton Bombs next, are a classic London rock band, think Dirty Pretty Things or The Strokes, but with only two members and a front man who looks a lot like the lead singer from The Kooks and you’re in the right area. Their songs are catchy and the drummer is pretty nifty, but even with all that crunchy reverb and growling vocals their sound needs a few more layers, if only to do the songs justice.
The headline act, Frankie and the Heartstrings, earn there right to be top of the bill tonight, with a polished professionalism that the two former acts lacked.
