HiFi North & South 2006
Pic from efestivals
Hi:Fi South: Photos @ Festivalwise There's also a Review @ Gigwise
First up in the live tent for Gigwise is the Brakes, who alternate between you wanting to love them for their wanton approach to not caring, and hate them for their occasional arrogance. For example their guitarist stalks on with a cigarette dangling out the side of his mouth in what can only be described as rock star bravado, and yet the simplicity of his guitar chords and riffs overtakes the tracks. Little snippets of musical comedy such as a quick rendition of the dreaded fast food chain's Timberlake ditty, "I'm Lovin It" endears you to them.
Lead vocalist Eamon Hamilton looks like Stressed Eric sometimes in his anger over some tracks - and British Sea Power always seemed like such a calm band. The set is punctuated by a blend of rock 'n' roll and country back to basics three minute tracks featuring lyrics like "God came down and said I'm fucking bored" and "Porcupine and Pineapple". Do the Spring Chicken is also a funky little number with a simple approach.
HiFi North: Photos @ Festivalwise
Hi:Fi South: Photos @ efestivals and a Review
The bearded lead singer ex-BSP's Eamon Hamilton delivers vitriolic lyrics about the music industry and it's terrific. While guitarist Tom White throws himself around and spasms like a true guitarist should while still pulling off on the money riffs.
They bring out a couple of guests the first being Balla Rafferton (I think) to accompany them on the Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash duet classic Jackson which is superb hill billy music. Another guest arrives Phil Sumner from Actress Hands to add some horn to the set. Suddenly Brakes are sounding like the Byrds or Neil Young with an anthemic bluegrass sound.
Pic from efestivals
Then the band unleash All Night Disco Party as a rocked up punk classic as opposed to its dance incarnation, revamped with a country twang and crashing guitars. What's In It For Us? is dedicated to the Queen with more venomous lyrics before an about face with a song which sounds like a country classic, but it's title eludes my memory, "if I die tonight will you tell her that I love her" which shows Eamon's vocal range and the depth of his voice. Although it could be tongue in cheek as like a tourette's sufferer he's all energy and off mic shouts "cease and resist!"
New track Wasn't Built to Last is announced by a gleeful Eamon, who tells us they are about to cut an album. It's pure hillbilly punk and Alex White's drumming and Marc Beatty on bass turn it into a great punk hillbilly track. If the rest of the album is like this I'm getting it!
They then finish with their anthem about speed, then they finish again with a classic country feeling tune about a pony while Tom smokes a fag and looks cool on guitar.
Then they realise they've forgotten Porcupine or Pineapple and so make that their last tune, before not leaving and delivering Do the Spring Chicken finally they opt for an ending which involves Tom climbing down into the pit to deliver a chord before the band yell, "Comma, comma, comma, full stop!" a 4 second ditty and that's it all over from a creative and entertaining band, with much to delight us at Hi Fi South.
Hi:Fi South: Review @ Virtual Festivals It is almost unbearable to see a band of Brakes quality playing in front of 50 or so people, but alas this is the case as once again the early acts are disregarded in favour of more sleep, more food, or more booze. Nevertheless Brakes talent is unarguable, with a fresh take on acoustic rock. Certainly theirs is a sound that deserves to be played in the sun, and not in an empty tent to a handful of fans.