Lola Colt, Pearl Handled Revolver, Doghouse Roses.
Lev 2 Esquires Bedford. Friday 13th February 2015.
After originally being booked to play here on Halloween night last year, London based LOLA COLT finally made it to Esquires to begin the first show of their nationwide tour. Was the long wait worth it? Well, sadly for this reviewer, I would certainly say no. It would be a tad harsh of me to concede that I was totally bored throughout, but I did wear a constant air of disinterest. Perhaps I was expecting a lot more, I normally do when the term psychedelia is used, as it was in Lola Colt's press release. Temples it ain't! They are a band that do know what psychedelia means.
This particular six piece are equally made up of the sexes. They are fronted by Gun Overbye, a Danish born lady whose vocal delivery brings to mind PJ Harvey, Siouxsie and Nico, to name just three. Gun has a very slow, breathy, gothy drawl and it's one that I struggle to enjoy or savour. However, Lola Colt's guitars and drumwork do sometimes dovetail superbly to create some sounds that could be construed to be inspired by such luminaries as Jefferson Airplane or Velvet Underground. This resulting hypnotic feel is reached on all too few occasions. The band also like to utilize some percussive instruments such as maraccas and tambourine, plus lots of pretentious handclapping. The latter's appeal wears rather thin after a while. With this lightweight sound is it possible to ask of the sextet, why do you need so many of you? Band to crowd interaction occurs very rarely so we don't get a chance to find out what makes this band tick. The people, (amongst a good sized turnout) who I assume are big fans, eagerly seize upon Lola Colt's more memorable songs, such as their new single "Heartbreaker" and the 2013 debut "I get high if you get high". At the end of the show many copies of the band's debut album "Away from the water" are purchased and the band are only too happy to autograph them.
Lola Colt, named after a sixties spaghetti western, normally have an atmosphere laden projector working in conjunction with the band's performance. Whether that would have enhanced my enjoyment is debatable, but this is a band that I wouldn't want to investigate further at present.
Possibly one of the chief reasons that I found Lola Colt to be dull and lifeless was due to the fact that they were preceded by Pearl Handled Revolver. Not only that, but I feel that these local blues rockers played their best ever Esquires show in their seven year career. I know from chatting amongst friends that everybody was of the same lofty opinion. 2015 promises to be an exciting year for this popular quartet as it will shortly see the release of their third album. Many people in attendance are slightly unsure, but oh so curious, to hear some of the brand new songs and the fellas do not disappoint the gathered faithful, launching into "Help me down from the trees". Due to the departure of their bassist, PHR have had to grow up in musical terms and compensate for their ex-member's output. Extra weight appears to have been passed on to keyboard/organist Simon Rinaldo and he copes admirably. Plus we can now see him more easily on the stage! He is seated right up at the front as he produces and creates such lush textures of sound. The new songs seem to suit the reconstructed dynamics of the band and Andy's caustic guitar blasts are systematically attacked from all angles by the thunderous drumwork of Chris Thatcher. This man's constant dexterity and musical multitasking is also shown by his important backing vocals.
PEARL HANDLED REVOLVER operate on an emotional level that truly touches the soul. Indeed, as "Loverman" and "In to the blue" weave their inevitable magic, the old stage appears to be literally bursting with panoramic songs. Old favourites are blissfully revisited, such as the timeless "Hello Mary". This invariably gets plenty of copy cat name calls from an audience naturally enhanced by an intake of hops, yeast and barley. It is tough to single out individual songs when a PHR show is such a wild entity in itself, twisting and turning. At the helm is vocalist Lee Vernon who is never shy to produce some raging harmonica. His thin angular frame barely underpins the characteristic and mischievous grin that spreads across his weathered face. He is almost like the cat thats got the cream! He thanks the audience "for being our guinea pigs" when the band complete the first live performance of "When the devil casts his net". Pearl Handled Revolver end the set with "Rabbit hole" and it seals the show by this blues rock powerhouse, high on ideas and full on unchiselled character. They exude friendly energy which gently squeezes the heart and engulfs the brain.
Bedford's DOGHOUSE ROSES offer up some frenetic country rock. Extra guitarist James Burke is using a borrowed bass amp and works miracles to make everything sound reasonable. Smart attire is again the name of the game for a band seemingly in need of some direction. Sean Morris' vocals always score highly, while Jim Morton's solid drumming keeps everything on a solid footing, especially on the songs "Change of heart" and "Never look back". Nick Slater guests on guitar later on in the set. With Valentine's Day tomorrow, Sean asks all the single girls to put their hands up. Perhaps on this Roses showing, the underbelly of romance is more akin to being tickled with rusty nails!
Review by Martin Stapleton. www.bedfordalternativemusic.co.uk