March 30, 2005

Dance To The Radio : Leeds Woodhouse Liberal Club

It’s not just Kaiser Chiefs in Leeds. Welcome to the revolution in the UK’s most happening music city...

Leeds’ newest label, Dance To The Radio, launch themselves
in the kitschiest of working men’s clubs. The scenesters are all here, along
with aspiring musicians, Pigs-goers and six of the city’s best bands.
So far, so special.

Unfortunately, The Old House’s desperate attempt to become The
Libertines means that the night starts with a meagre fizz.

It’s This Et Al’s vocal acrobatics and intense noise that really
get things going. They’re half a metal band (lots of buzzing guitars) and
half an indie band (good tunes), the best of both worlds.

The Lodger, meanwhile, seem designed to play venues like this.
Their songs are short, gloriously poppy numbers, so British that they
should come with a cup of tea and excessive politeness thrown in.

iLiKETRAiNS are almost in direct contrast. While singer
Dave delivers his baritone murder ballads, the instruments cascade,
explode and create a genuinely uncomfortable atmosphere with their epic
post-rockisms.

¡Forward, Russia! are also happy to indulge in the world of
post-rock, but the wannabe Slavics do something different with it.
They create a visceral racket. The guitars stop, start and screech, while
singer Tom dives around the stage and wraps the mic around his head.
This is some of the most fucked-up pop you’re ever likely to hear. If you’re
going to pillage the vaults of rock history, pillage from the best.

Duels certainly do that. Hints of ‘Revolver’-era
Beatles, Kinks and Blur are held together with plenty
of Bowie. The irresistible melodies and sweet harmonies run and skip
around the venue, and you remember why you love pop music so much.

Leeds: there’s plenty more talent where the Kaisers come
from.

Tom Goodhand