Clinic @ 229, London, 9 April 2008

Have you ever felt very excited about a gig before that you think about it for days? This is how HSAH felt at the prospect of seeing clinic. After the recent discover that a new album, Do it, on the way and that very few UK dates had been confirmed HSAH was not going to miss this gig.

229, Great Portland Street was the host for this one off London gig. A venue that reminds HSAH of her student days merely because the venue is set in the basement of some student halls. With the crowd gearing up for the gig the haunting sounds of ‘you never walk alone’ bellow out of the speakers and everyone wonders what strange prank this is. However little do they know that this is the intro to the gig.

Clinic walk on stage in the trade mark surgical masks and Hawaiian shirts that makes them look like some crazy badies from Doctor Who…imagine that episode! They clearly stated that the gig will be a performance of two halves. The first will be a show case of Do It, which proves that clinic can continue to make raw, rough and stripped tracks that are infused with a lounge style. The high light being the last single Memories.

The second half was an ‘archive’ set of material from past albums, Internal Wrangler and Walking with Trees et al.
Clinic have the uncanny ability to sound like they are playing in an empty room and you are the only person witnessing them work their magic. They have the essence of very early orange juice but mixed with an American surf rock sound that’s much linked to rockabilly. This is especially prevalent on tracks like Sunlight Bathes Our Home and Internal Wrangler. You can imagine walking down the set of some western film and the sound track would be Clinic. Maybe if you were really cool you’d be wearing shades whilst strutting.

For a show of two halves it felt as though the gig was over before it had started and by half ten Clinic had announced that they would be ending their set. It was time to say bye and farewell to this bunch of lovable oddballs.

Gigs this week to look out for.

Here is what HSAH recommends for this week if you get a tad bored of the TV.

Monday 7th April - Go and see the lovely Slow Club at Camden's Entreprise. Its a nice pub and with this amazing band playing what more could you want??

On Tuesday the 8th April pop down to white heat to see one of the newest acts to be talked about a lot, FrYars. White Heat takes place at madamn jojo's, soho every Tuesday...in case you are unfamiliar with it!

Wednesday 9th April - Go and see Clinic at 229. its the only gig to be at tonight!

On Thursday pop into the social to see strange idols and My sad Captains. its free and if you are partial to indie pop then this is the gig for you.

Friday can only mean one thing and that is TWEE AS FUCK. Fanfarlo are playing and if you have ever read HSAH before you will know we love Fanfarlo!

In the Future go and see:

14th April and 17th April - Bjork at the hammersmith apollo.

18th April - Ceremony at red star, camberwell.

20th April - Jens Lekman at London's ULU.

21st April - gigwise night at proud, camden...i am djing!

24th April - Plastic Factory.

Cardigan? check.

So London has become the hub of all kinds of clubs night. One night you could swap clothes with a stranger to standing around in a darken room listening to inaudible nonsense. However HSAH enjoys one night in particular...Twee as Fuck and Friday night's line up was tres bon. With The Mare, Strange Idols and Bricolage on the bill HSAH couldn't have been happier.

So with our cardigan in check and our dancing shoes pulling all the moves the buffalo bar started to fill up with ident a kit indie chicks and guys. The Mare had travelled all the way from Sweden for this gig and like almost all Swedish bands that HSAH had come across in her time they were indie pop-tastic. Their female singer even supported a massive bee hive her style and with her high pitched, wobbly vocals she took centre stage.

After a quick change over Strange Idols took to the stage and within minutes they had the crowd eating from the palm of the hands. They were good. For half a hour or so they played, yes you guest right, bitter sweet indie pop tracks that reminded you slightly of camera obscura but just not so retro sounding.

Then after arriving late and doing a rushed sound check, it was time for bricolage to take to the stage. They did so in grand style sporting some impressive hair cuts. You got to had it to anyone that can pull of a high rise quiff. Bricolage stormed through their forty minutes tracks, which lived up to the label of 'they sound just like orange juice'. HSAH favourite being Foot Steps This gig showcased more to bricolage then being a orange juice tribute act though. Bricolage have edge and spirit whilst keeping their indie pop sentiments alive.

Now, all that was left to do was dance.

grown old gracefully?

Camden, known for its rock music heritage, played host to the Jesus and Mary Chain on Wednesday night. The round house was filled to the rafters with 40 somethings and those who look back on the mid 80s as a treasure trove of music but the mood was far from sombre.

With beer in hand and a select group of Friends HSAH waited in anticipation as the crowd filled up and the roundhouse started to hum. After a gig being cancelled HSAH was not surprised that this event was busy. After standing through two average support bands, a luxury for some bands but a trial for those who have no interest in support acts. This is a big venue after all so the support bands were irrelevant but come quarter to ten what we had all been waiting for came...

The Jesus and Mary Chain came to the stage. At this point HSAH feel it is relevant to state that her knowledge of TJAMC extends from Psycho Candy to Darklands and before this gig HSAH thought this was pretty knowledgeable. She was wrong.

As the band played got going HSAH started to realise that these were not familiar tracks but patiently waited for the dark, feedback driven tracks that she loved. When they came, she was a little underwhelmed. This is not to say that the likes of Happy When it Rains and Just Like Honey weren't preformed well. They just lacked that raw edge. The Jesus and Mary Chain had grown up and learnt how to play their instruments and now they rocked in a capital A sort of way rather for the charming, noisy way they do on the CDs that HSAH love.

This sense of disappointment didn't taint (too much) the feeling of joy that HSAH got from singing her little heart out April Skys though. She basted in how cheesy this night could be perceived to be.

HSAH now wonders whether or not old acts should actually just stay on our stereo rather then coming back to venues? Would there always be that sense of disappointment that they do not live up to our expectations?

Prom Night

Ever wanted to wear that eighties number that you brought from the charity shop down the road ages ago? well now you can and not feel like an over sized merimaid. On the 29th March Prom night starts at the buffalo bar, highbury and islington. Its celebrating everything 80s so its definitely time to dust off that copy of pink in pretty and listen to echo and the bunnymen. HSAH is going to be there...one might even dig out the backless number she has for it.

High Jinks

Stephen Malkmus, of pavement fame, is taking to the road with his band The Jinks. The tour kicks off on the 5 June and ventures to London, Manchester, Glasgow and Dublin. A very extensive tour indeed.

Here are the details:
LONDON:
Eat Your Own Ears presents
STEPHEN MALKMUS AND THE JICKS
plus special guests
Thursday 5 June
Doors 7pm
Shepherds Bush Empire, Shepherds Bush Green, London W12 8TT 020 8354 3300
Tickets £14 advance from:
www.shepherds-bush-empire.co.uk
www.ticketweb.co.uk
0844 477 2000
www.seetickets.com
0870 264 3333

MANCHESTER:

www.gigsandtours.com

GLASGOW:
On sale fri. 29th feb 9am
b/o : 08444 999 990 / www.gigsinscotland.com

DUBLIN:
www.ticketmaster.ie or ph: 0818 719 300
Venue is www.tripodlive.ie

This is to support the release of their new album Real Emotional Trash, Malkmus' forth solo album and second with the Jinks. Its out now so go buy it!

Animal Collective

Are releasing a new EP, Water Curses and its bound to be kooky. Its out on the 5th May so keep your eyes peeled.