The Bazaars @ Cockpit
By Michael Lodge
While many of Leeds' rock fans were the other side of town (Razorlight at LU) some of us were supporting local talent. Spawning from Shrewsbury, support act The Sunshine Underground moved to Leeds after their locale didn't provide the required opportunities. They give us a pulsating start to the evening showing they have the shout of the Manics and the Groove of The Music. Their tight performance located its groove from the outset and didn't relent.
The Sunshine Underground know how to mix up a song and showed they have more than one gear. Held together by rock- solid bass lines locking into the assured drumming of Matthew Gwilt. Guitarist Stuart Jones knows how to mute a riff and uses his flanger pedal with great effect on a couple of tunes. They save the best until last however as vocalist/guitarist Craig Wellington puts his axe down to unashamedly batter a cowbell on The Sunshine Underground's final outro.
With a single produced by John Fortis (Razorlight) out within the next two months, The Bazaars must be feeling pretty good. The current renaissance of the 60's sound is a favourable environment for their sound to be considered. The Bazaars, however, have a bit more crunch than the Coral. For example, the two double A side tracks ('Fire, Fire' and 'I want you Dead') are more frenetic energy than laidback sixties cool. The latter showing so much urgency it wants to take over itself. The crowd enjoy it and vocalist Jonny Woolnough is clearly having a good time.
Influences abound. They've heard The Beach Boys, they've listened to the Doors. 'Change the Rules' may initially have you asking where the next whiskey bar is but when it breaks into the bouncy charisma of the chorus we find a big personality bursting to get out. The band use vocal harmonies well and Jonny Pugh's guitar work laces in Eastern flavours with his lines.
The last part of the show give us 'She Shone' and 'I'll See You Again'. The former an upbeat chugger wherein Jonny assures us he's staying where he is('Like millions of people I'm not coming down'). The latter with its Beatles-esque riff seems to form a fond farewell to a loyal fanbase.
The London scallywags Razorlight may have been talking loud to a bigger crowd up at the university but this evening proves again that Leeds bands should be shouting as loud as they can.
