Gundogs + Dandelion Killers + Zebedy Rays @ Hare & Hounds, 24th March 2011

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The overture, so to speak, saw guitar/vocals, Adam Hickman, bare torso lunge from the stage performing a leaping snare-drum ritual with all the mysticism of a sphincter challenged shaman. We’re not sure whether he deserves applause or sectioning. Abattoir seductive bass lines, tortured guitar strokes and agonised vocals induced through DNA revealing tight jeans made this a most enjoyable avant-garde opening set for Zebedy Rays. There’s toxic, polluted swamp blues, some Eddie Vedder visceral howls, Thin Lizzy trailblazing dynamics and crunchy cool off-beat time signatures of Beefheart vintage. Song four, ‘Like A Crow’ has to be their definitive signature. Current single ‘War & Whiskey closed the set. Imagine velociraptors after a pre gig session on the Jack Daniels hospitality rider. Stand well clear. This is how they have fun in Worcester.

Setlist: This Generation, Digging A Hole, Hook, Line & Sinker, Like A Crow, John Esli Davies, War & Whiskey.

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Dandelion Killers, from Ross on Wye, have a drummer who clearly practices with hammers in G-Force simulator. Snappy chord shifting pop melodies suggesting distilled essences of XTC and Supergrass mark out this band’s distinct flavour. I felt the set meandered somewhat later and the acknowledgement that they were airing three new songs may be why it seemed a bit overcooked. A tad Radiohead bombastic in one song, a brim full of Supergrass in another but nevertheless, nuances of Petes Doherty/ Shelley’s melodic insistency restored their integrity with honour. Inventive, dynamic and experimental. The future’s bright.

Setlist: (approx) Bad Saturday, New song, Archives(?), John Wayne, Disney Eyes, Prodigal Son, New song, Nostalgia, New song, Going Under, Orphans.

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With sated wolverine snarls and preen/postured raven-haired pouting the femme fatale twosome fronting Gundogs, in suspender-thighed and buxomly basque black, are a sight to behold. Birmingham based and Kerrang Radio lauded theirs is a refreshing kick in the ‘rawk’ cliched codpiece. Notwithstanding their initial, and in many cases, enduring appeal to many male punters who relished having their testosterone crammed cages flirtily rattled we must address the music.

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Powered by a locomotive rhythm section Alex Reynolds (drums) and Dan Raven (bass) that drives the proto-goth/grunge punk drone, think perhaps Elastica (the band, if you please), Hole and even Hawkwind at times with Young dabbling in the occasional pedal effects, the sum total surge is relentless. Mesdames vocal vixens comprise of the exotically named Maria Rodriquez on lead guitar with Leila Anthony guitar supplementary. Whilst not exactly intimidating they can conjure up formidable brain battering soundscapes of blood propellant intensity and delicious Kraken kick-ass guitar.

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Given this was my first hearing I look forward to being able to distinguish the wider subtleties of their song’s originality whereas tonight was more a celebration of form over substance and none the less exciting for that. Given press salutations the Hare was disappointingly half full. Shame. Word most certainly will spread. As did Chris Croft’s drum kit during the set closer ‘Breakdown’ when one of the ladies stage-dived on to it. Well, perhaps more an oozing, sultry slide tackle. You had to be there. Chris certainly was, tackle n’all. Hot, foxy music for where the wild things go to be naughty.

Review – John Kennedy
Photos – Ian Dunn

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