Duels @ Joseph's Well
By Ian Bridge
It is now hard to dispute that the Leeds music scene (the guitar driven part of it at least) is in the rudest health it has been in for quite a while. The size of the crowd and the quality of the bands on the opening night of this remarkably well organised event (down to that ubiquitous phenomenon Whiskas I believe - well done) seem to bear this out.
Kenosha have the task of beginning this six band line-up, and they display a certain rustiness that befits a band that (I am told) have just reconvened after a ten month hiatus. Indeed it is the first time I have seen a band complete a soaring five minute instrumental, before there is a muttered apology of 'That was supposed to have lyrics, but it's a bit difficult.' It was quite promising though and they are certainly a group to check out in the future.
The KBC are a band trying to hitch their wagon onto the new wave craze. They even conform to the cliché of the high-strapped guitar and the minimal drum kit. Unfortunately they add nothing whatsoever to the genre, in a pretty non descript set.
No such adherence to genre cliché by the next band O Fracas though. Possibly the most original band on the lineup, they take the jerky angularity of post-punk but give it a modern spin. It's the rhythmic sophistication of the band that really set them apart, the propulsive drumming (very reminiscent of American jazzer Dave King of the Bad Plus) to the fore in this respect. But it never becomes self indulgent and you just can't stop yourself dancing to this music. With the two guitarists providing memorable melodies, as well as sing-along lyrics it's a great package. When the lead singer implores us to 'Dance all night and sleep all day' on 16 Beats, who are we to disagree.
Kubichek! are here from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and like North-Eastern counterparts The Futureheads, they make a thoroughly contemporary sound while revelling in their distinctive regional accents. They look and sound accomplished, producing a tight indie dance vibe, which has a heavy muscularity to it giving it a punky edge, which prevents it from being bracketed simply as post-Franz Ferdinand fair.
There is little that I can say to add to the oceans of local press that the last two bands on this opening night, This Et Al and Duels, have received recently. This Et Al are as tight as you'd expect for a band who seem to have been gigging non stop for the last year or so, and they certainly treat their faithful followers with the set they play.
For this reviewer though, for all the hype surrounding them, one can't help but feel that This Et Al just aren't going to make it. They're very serious, from the Robert Smith vocals to the doomy black and red colour coordination of the band's garb. At present though in the wake of the Kaiser's there seems to be an appetite for a brighter, poppier sound. Step forward Duels, who despite the fact they have been plugging away for years under various guises (another similarity to the Chief's), seem finally to have the cultural weather in their favour.
Overcoming some technical difficulties with the keyboards early in the set the band go down an absolute storm. With lively interplay between the two brothers on lead guitar and vocals, along with the extra dimension of the female vocal harmonies plus keyboard lines Duels have something, which marks them out from the other bands on the bill this evening. With solid support from the rhythm unit (which contributes to a heavier sound than you might expect) it is a very complete sound. With hints of Bowie, especially Starman on the tender 'Young Believers' (just guitar and vocals), and Supergrass on the sure fire hit 'Animal', the only question seems to be how far they can go.
