Q and Not U @ Joseph's Well
By Ben Partridge
Ahh, the rigour of That Fucking Tank's riff-ravaged post rock is quite a detachment from the banality of everyday life. These local boys, dressed in psychobilly attire, complete with cowboy hats aloof, certainly look as if their every essence is reflected in the rhythmic, foot-stomping instrumentalism they have to offer. Reminiscent of local angular aficionados Bilge Pump, but devoid of any vocal interjection, That Fucking Tank are certainly not for the faint hearted. Softly, softly, then wrenchingly, aggressively loud, with every volume in between, their dynamics are astounding, forever shifting keys and time values. For an entire 25 mins, the audience is suitably entertained, almost entranced.
London's Bullet Union belong to the same label as That Fucking Tank, local independent Jealous records, who have organised the show tonight. They bring to the Well a rabid form of post-hardcore punk variation, which is disjointed, discordant and chaotic, kind of like a dystopian early Fugazi meets Your Enemies Friends. Vocals emanated from front man Jodie in two forms; scream, or scream tunefully. Somehow, I think some backing vocals would help to colour the sound a bit. If you like fast-paced, drenched in sweat punk-rock this is where you will find it; I can't believe I called Razorlight "ballsy".
Intricacy and intimacy galore, Q and Not U deserve more than an award. If Fugazi were the instigators and developers of post-Hardcore in the 90's, then Q and Not U, with a distinctly Dischord sound, are the natural torch bearers for this decade. No where in the entire Musical world will you see something so playful, soulful, funk-filled and groovy from a band of this calibre. I am absorbed, and so is the crowd; each song varies from the next, with synths and keys to conjure a plethora of mood-altering sounds. Yes the Rapture have cowbells, but Q and Not U have a percussion set, wrist bells, wooden blocks and all. The Early Learning Centre-esque melodica, used for the sublime outro to 'Soft Pyramids' really says it all. Q and Not U, whilst remaining a politically aware band, don't show it on stage, or in their music. Only their strong sense of sonic fun, and ability to create undeniably loveable hooks in the oddest of places, and with the most strange of lyrics, is displayed tonight; "...Every tower is an Eiffel tower, don't worry, every tower is an Eiffel tower tonight, everyone's sleeping under one tonight."
If you're not familiar with the style of music that Q and Not U purvey, I recommend that you readily investigate. They make the unorthodox structures and eternally evolving songs of contemporary alt-rock noiseniks into something wholly accessible. Emitting a contagious warmth and an unparalleled, infectious spirit, Q and Not U, dogged by a few technical difficulties, prove they are able to deliver their unique, almost untouchable funk-punk to a hungry, appreciative Leeds crowd. Fantastic.
