A fair few years ago (about 2008/09) to be exact I was wandering through town and stopped off at Piccadilly records for the usual question to the Music aficionados behind the counter. “What’s good that’s out this week?”… “What do you like?”. I then describe what I’m listening to at the time and I can’t remember what i said but the answer was “Have a listen to Wooden Shjips!” Since that time they’ve been a favourite of mine especially when in the car. The metronomic magic of their rolling mantras are perfect for any journey.
Their new album release just a few weeks ago and ‘V’ has made its way back to Piccadilly Records recommends list with no surprise. My gig club sidekick from last nights gig at Manchester’s, Gorilla said “it’s the best stuff they’ve ever done!” It’s definitely a more mainstream record, intentional or just evolving its earned them some decent airplay on BBC6 of late and also (due to my enjoyment) MCR Live.
Wooden Shjips delivered a blistering set full of perfectly timed beats enchanting vocals and synths/guitar that drew you in even further to the psychedlic visuals beamed onto the entire stage and the first 3 rows of the crowd and with the band having white TShirts on their are a moving projection screen with the visuals centred perfectly on the drums.
Stand out tracks on the new album; ‘Ride On’, ‘Already Gone’, ‘in the Fall’ and ‘Staring at the sun’ with a back section a kin to Buffalo Springfield’s ‘For What it’s worth’ and vocals prominent giving similarities to Beta Band and swirling guitar that LedZep would have taken and John Squire would have sauntered in the Roses.
Every now and again you come away from the gig having enjoyed the headline act and having been blasted away by the ‘support’ act. That was one of those gigs.
The Lucid Dream were otherworldly… a music maturity beyond their years, they’re from Carlisle, and on their Twitter before the gig “it’s sold out, can’t wait for this.” And approaching 8pm Gorilla fills up very quickly. It appears everyone else can’t wait either!. Their set is full of experimental loops and electronic. One of the songs (I find out later it’s called SX1000 when I buy it from their lead singer / song writer, Mike Denton at their merch Stand) is very Acid House and straight outta the 90’s, being very at home in Gorilla, a stones throw from the original Haçienda. There’s a woman at the front completely loosing her shit to it and when I see her later, she was probably one of the first through the doors at Haçienda and one of the last to leave in the late80’s/90’s. Kangol hat, bright yellow jacket and psychedlic tie die. Totally havin’ it without a care in the world. I wonder if she’s a social worker, or primary school teacher by day. After the first song they introduce them selves “we’re The Lucid Dream… and that’s enough talking, the rest of the set is mixed in.” And they didn’t hold back! A good 45 minute set crammed with ‘songs of an era’ my gig club Sidekick suggests one of their tracks wouldn’t be out of place in a ‘Ride’ set. I agree. There are lots of early 90’s psychedelia references in their sound and plenty of electronic loops. If SX1000 is anything to go buy their next album is gonna be diverse and a definite for any music collection. From me, 1×12” and 1xCD to add to the bandfunds. Well done lads!
Plastic Fantastic 