four day Hombre @ Joseph's Well
By Dave Sugden
A revolving thirty or so music fans watch the likes of David Viner, The Koreans, The Gin Palace and The Hells, whereas a mass surge at 10.30 swells the crowd to almost 150 to greet Leeds lads four day Hombre. No disrespect to the excellent Hombre, but does that make sense? Not to me, but it's their loss and that's all I have to say.
David Viner is an amazing blues talent, as is evident from his recent album on Dim Mak. The album features backing support from The Von Bondies and The Soledad Brothers, but tonight he's stripped down (literally, it's been a hot day you know) and playing solo. An inspiring show to witness.
London four-piece The Koreans have a confusing quality, in that while you watch them they're good enough to provoke thoughts of "wow, this is so memorable" yet when its over you've forgotten almost everything they did. Except that is for recent hip shaker "Machine Code" and their other notable track "Do we look like we give a fuck?" Dual vocals introduce some great harmonies, a la four day Hombre, and the Yamaha, theremin and tambourine add a touch of spice to their infectious fuzzed up groove. I just wish it were that infectious I could remember some of it...
Next are The Gin Palace, or as their annoying, drunken female vocalist pronounced "Gin Palassssssssssssss" before calling Leeds "lifelesssssss" and destroying a couple of mic stands. They are a minimalist garage blues line up, featuring just one guitar, a reduced drumkit and vocals, and in the end they overrun and are told to stop playing. Much to the displeasure of said drunk who has to be carried off stage, eventually letting go of her microphone to a bemused Well soundman.
The Hells are next, and sadly, because of The Gin Palace, they don't get a long enough bash at showing Leeds how great they are. I heard these two guys and a gal during soundcheck as I approached the venue a few hours earlier, and to say they impressed is an understatement. As with the Artrocker theme of the night so far, The Hells play very sensual, dirty blues-driven rock'n'roll.
"Where the hell have all these people come from?" ask The Hells shortly after coming off stage. My thoughts entirely, but lets not allow fan antics to detract from four day Hombre who are worthy hometown headliners on an exceptionally strong line up. It has been their single "The First Word is the Hardest" that has propelled the Hombres further into national recognition, but it's B-side "Too Cool to Shop" that is the real gem. Explosive guitars let them rock like mothers, contrasted by quieter, delectable, flawless harmonies that continue to showcase their real talent for credible songwriting and wry lyrics. And lest we forget, "Virgin Radio bollocks" is occasionally a very nice place to be.
