The Paddingtons @ The Vine
By Vicky Beercock
Christ this was a tough call. Kasabian, Spring and The Paddingtons all playing the same evening.
Despite having high expectations of the Bears, (sorry! HAD to), having previously toured with the likes of the Babyshambles and Har Mar Superstar - not to drop in that they've been signed to Alan McGee's Poptones Label (the guy who signed Oasis and Primal Scream). There was still some apprehension. Not usually being the 1st to admit that one's personal knowledge of Hull was verging on dare it be said, expert. (Born and Bred! - Usually followed by shoot me now... not any more, alle f**king lujah).
So, the warm up of the attendees (aka reluctant friends) starts on Thursday. Excruciating curses of along the lines of "they'd better be great", and threats to lose my current title of a friend by the end of Saturday evening began in their force (having neglected to attend the previously mentioned "safer bets" also landing in Leeds on what was to be a revolutionary 16th of October for Hull (Born and Bred! (There is a God!)).
Watching the bands prior to The Paddingtons (bands that could quite comfortably be labelled support bands considering the sheer volume of people who made the final set) there was no surprise that there was some late angst and considerable doubt in the major decision that had been made for the schedule of Saturday evening. Daggers anyone? If looks could kill! This was thankfully diminished when The Old House entered the stage. Entertaining, possibly even enjoyable, however not quite unique, or even close to touching on sensational, hasten to say just another band to come out of the post Libertines surge.
What comes next is what can only most closely be described as early 80's Grange Hill style drop outs (and I kid you not!). This is not an insult. This is an honour!
The Paddingtons, quite frankly, oozed in presence beyond their years.
Enter Tom... parting the crowd like Rik Waller with a bad case of B.O. (in a good way! If possible) It was either that or Jesus and water (let it go!).
Even if you'd never come across them before you knew instantly that the HAD to be the band that a hype has been growing profusely around their current tour, NME jumping on the bandwagon, to say the least. The devilishly handsome blue Mac, becoming some what of a personal trademark (perhaps a little Doherty), then of course the classic cigarette as the essential prop, and not forgetting the scarecrow-like 'wig' that covered the majority of Tom's cute face, crazy but most DEFINITELY "cool".
Then, there was the 'Definitive Grant'. He graced the platform to take the drums in his funky hat and his cheeky smile. Furthermore topping up the quirky aura surrounding the band and they hadn't even started yet!
Cue the music. Small band (not for much longer) from Hull 'rocking' The Vine and the crowd went wild! What?! Like that ever happens! But it did!
To look at Tom you just wouldn't expect the voice that came out of him to come from the not quite legal drinker - again why were they allowed in The Vine? Grant (the drummer) was absolutely nuts! Fabulously wicked! Then Lloyd (bass guitarist) and Josh (guitar) more than completed the baby faced band. What a cracking combination of personalities!
They played for no longer than half an hour but this was ample enough to satisfy a curiosity that had been lingering, and has definitely lead to an ever growing following.
Having mingled with and ever so chilled crowd it became convincing that the opinion was not alone. In fact, some even, dare I say, raved about them (note: definitely not family!). As for the ever so delicate title of friends? Quite amazingly was Sold! Ahhh friendship saved! Pheeww! (quite an achievement!)
OK, What do I know? Well, They have to be doing something right, Pete Doherty (ex Libertines frontman / Babyshambles) as their mentor, Alan McGee snatching them for ripening and NME dedicating a page to them in a recent Issue. And that won't be the end.
The debut single "21" is out now, catch them live if you can, two free downloads off their demo (Lo_Fi, and Loser) are also available for a taster.
I'm sure I've broken two cardinal rules 1. 17 year old young men 2. from Hull, but am I bothered? F**k no, it was worth it.
A Must.
