Holy Fuck, The Clik-Clik, Ice Sea Dead People.
Lev 2 Esquires Bedford. 15th November 2007.
Reviewed by Martin Stapleton / Pictures by Jez Brown.
A few people have recently commented to me that there has been an absence of a really outstanding 'take your breath away' gig during the first ten months of 2007. Needless to say, these people are absent tonight for the hotly anticipated appearance of Canadian quartet HOLY FUCK. Their name is certainly controversial and might possibly hold them back in the mainstream media world, but their show tonight is truly staggering. Apparently they garner all manner of musical junk from charity shops to construct all their weird and wonderful musical instruments. The result of this can be heard to devastating effect this evening.
It certainly transcends all genres of music from the past four decades. The sub-psychedelia of the sixties, the seventies do it yourself electronic ethos of Kraftwerk, the acid house movement of the late eighties plus the drum and bass sounds of the present day - it takes a part of all of them.
Holy Fuck's stage manner is polite and humble, although I'm sure they are a tiny bit disappointed that there are not more people in the house, as these men of few words just leave their instruments to produce such a free-flowing blockbusting mix of mind lifting sounds. It produces a menagerie of classic techno, drum and bass, and coax some quieter moments to form the instrumental coalition with unpredictability seldom seen at Esquires.
Holy Fuck's visit coincides with the release of their eponymous debut album, and from the evidence tonight I hope it takes them from the underground to a more wider audience.
Support comes firstly from Bedford's avant-garde guitar bashers ICE SEA DEAD PEOPLE. A band that use their instruments to lethal effect. A three piece barrage that peaks with the song "My twin Brother's a Brother".
Contrasting are THE CLIK-CLIK who have male/female vocal harmonies deliciously enhanced by a moreish synth sound. The songs pour over us, with "I Did You Wrong" my favourite.
Considering the diverse range of music on offer, rookie soundman Richard did an amazing job and should be commended.
Review by Martin Stapleton. www.bedfordesquires.co.uk