Gig Review: Ringo Deathstarr supported by Lola Colt, Highbury Garage, 02/09/14

Review by Mark Kelly

Tonight Ringo Deathstarr exhibit considerable bravery in selecting the rather wonderful Lola Colt to support them. However, before we can see whether Ringo Deathstarr get blown offstage or not, we are entertained by opening act Parlour.

Parlour’s music is very dreamy, trancy, shoegazey stuff, and they clearly owe a massive debt to My Bloody Valentine. There is much tuning and adjustment of effects pedals between songs, and they give the impression that they’re playing for themselves rather than the audience, which possibly isn’t a bad thing.

This is the third time that I’ve seen Lola Colt, and I’m only just starting to get my head around their music. The reason for this is that there is so much going on when they play. Initially there are no obvious reference points in their music, but more diverse and possibly conflicting hints of influences on display. It could be a car crash, but it works.

The guitarists channel in short order Hank Marvin on acid, Duane Eddy, Pete Townshend, Kevin Shields, with a large chunk of Homesick James’ slide guitar thrown in. Vocals are Siouxsie Sioux with a side order of Polly Harvey. The bass is clean and unfussy, while on keyboards and percussion there is a voodoo gothic femme fatale who clearly is an admirer of Pink Floyd’s Rick Wright. The drummer? Well, e’s just a drummer innee?! OK, he sounds like a heavier Stephen Morris.

The key effect of all of these diverse influences is that Lola Colt really don’t sound like anybody else. They have gathered together these building blocks and come up with something fresh and exciting. On the evidence of the five songs that they played tonight, their album is going to be something else. The only possible limitation that could be placed upon them are their own imaginations, which apparently fly.

 

A much simpler dish is served up by Ringo Deathstarr: West Coast punk with a hint of Sonic Youth.

The bass lines and guitar solos are fluid and sinewy, and the band are tight. Their material is deceptively melodic whilst not losing any of its muscle, and a creditable mosh pit soon develops. Ringo Deathstarr are not blown offstage, in fact it’s a pretty triumphant gig.

However, there is a marked difference to the fare provided by Lola Colt. Ringo Deathstarr are essentially entertainment, and that’s no bad thing, but Lola Colt produce art.

 

Mark Kelly

 

(Photos by Chris Patmore / Peter Morgan)

Links

http://www.lolacolt.com/

http://ringodeathstarr.org/