Day One, Gig One: Jeniferever @ The Wheatsheaf
I just got back from the Wheatsheaf, having braved the rain and the late buses to see the first of four gigs over the course of four days.
Tonight's headliners were supposed to be The Paper Chase, but unfortunately they had to pull out due to illness. This is a shame since I've been playing a couple of their songs repeatedly over the past few days and I was looking forward to seeing them live. They should (hopefully) be rescheduling though, so if I keep my eyes open I may have a chance to see them yet.
First band up were Scarecrows, who I've never heard of before. I'd managed to find one track of theirs beforehand, and I'd discovered they were from Worcester, but beyond that I knew very little. Turns out they're a violin/bass/keyboards/drums affair with a smattering of trumpet as well, playing instrumental rock that borders on post-rock. There were some definite Godspeed-tinged moments, especially in the first track, and the publicity material I'd seen compared them to Tortoise. There was a jazzier feel to some of it as well.
Next up was my primary reason for going to this gig, Ill Ease (real name Elizabeth Sharp). I'd seen her before at last years' Audioscope and have her album 'The Exorcist' so I knew what to expect: lo-fi guitar-and-drums rock with off-kilter vocals. Although not the most eloquent of lyricists, the thrashy guitar and energetic drums are a pretty hypnotic combination. Few of the songs were from the album I have, and as far as I know it's the only album she's released, so maybe there's a new one coming up.
Despite becoming headliners at the last minute, Jeniferever were up to the task. A bunch of five skinny Swedish lads, they mine another vein of jazz-tinged post-rock occasionally similar to that of Scarecrows, but with more of a melodic element and with some vocals added in as well. The stereotype was closer to Mogwai than Godspeed this time, but without as much of the loud/quiet dynamic that Mogwai are famed for.
A good night - not the best gig I've been to so far this year (that honour probably rests with Mogwai), but some damn good music was played. Very intimate as well - it wasn't at full capacity, I'd guess there were about eighty people or so by the time Jeniferever came on.