A Place To Bury Strangers @ Camden Barfly
15 December 2009 - a pre-Christmas corker
05 January 2010
Sailor Jerry is the latest in a long line of brands that realise people like to drink and listen to live music. Tonight they
host three acts at the Barfly in Camden.
The Sian Alice Band open the night
with their brand of rhythmic, almost tribal drumming. The incessant beat runs throughout their set, driving the sound along
under Sian Ahern’s haunting vocals. It sounds like music written for apocalyptic montages: as the world
crashed down around them they probably wouldn’t notice, or care. The bodies on stage, bathed in blue and green light
only break out of their hypnosis as the set comes to a close with a simple, “Thank you.”
Once
the spell cast upon the crowd begins to fade the second act hit the stage. Rather uncomfortably sandwiched between Sian Alice
Group and the headliners are Airship. Following the haunting doom of the first act this verse/chorus/verse
indie rock band seem rather out of place. The band trudge through their set unaware the 90’s are long lost in the past.
The singer’s moustache is wonderful but the band offer little more to appreciate.
After a lengthy delay
the headliners, A Place To Bury Strangers,
hit the stage. Known as the loudest band in New York, and for having a hostile attitude, it seems apt that bassist Jono
MOFO hits the stage sporting a massive black eye. He spends the entire show leering at the crowd as if he’s
still looking for the culprit.
With just a guitar, bass and drums the band shovel wave upon wave of distortion
upon the audience, who suddenly start to come alive. Trance-inducing, fuzz soaked bass riffs and pounding tom-tom drums pick
up where the Sian Alice Band left off. Their wall of sound influence is clear, with the band borrowing from punk and other
noise pop too. Sporadically guitarist Oliver Ackermann departs from ignoring the audience and comes to the microphone to sing.
His tangible vocals and occasionally burst of catchy guitar licks seem out of place upon this wave of noise. The band march
through their set allowing for feedback and fuzz to segue between tracks. The audience love it and navigate easily between
these ‘pauses’ to shout back the lyrics at the unappreciative band. After a lengthy set the three members leave
the stage, the noise ends and the sweaty crowd spill out for air. Job done.
By SG Parson.
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