Viking Gods In The Lord's House

We have an understanding, me and The Lord. I leave him alone, He leaves me alone. But it's OK for me to pop round His gaff occasionally, if there's something good going on. He's started putting some good nights on in London recently. Hmmm...not sure He's the booking agent, but I feel He must surely approve...

Just in from Shearwater and The Cave Singers at Union Chapel. Met up with Nads, Brummie and Screwy in The Hope and Anchor, then straight over to get a good pew...got there just as the first support act went on (Hospital Ships). He was OK, but the call of the bar was stronger. Managed to neck a beer each, just in time to get back for The Cave Singers to go on stage. Me and Brummie are like a couple of kids. We absolutely love this band, not just because they go for it, but because they look like they're having such a good time whilst they're doing it. They play quite a few new songs (merch stall beckons), but Helen and Dancing On Our Graves are the stand out songs. (Derek the guitarist tells me afterwards that the new album isn't out until August - bollocks).

Straight back to the bar. I recognise a bloke at the bar. "Are you Michael? I think I made you a beard once", I asked. He started laughing and his girlfriend (recent acquisition, by the looks of it) laughed too. She said he'd shown her this beard only the other day. I made it for him about 18 months ago, at a Folk Idol Xmas Party. I sat on a stool knocking fake fur beards up for some of the crowd and acts. Went down a storm. I'm amazed he kept it - the way she was chuckling, am wondering if they've incorporated it into their fledgling sex life...

And then Shearwater. I've seen this band three times now and they have really grown on me. Jonathan Meiburg has the most clear, strong, stunning voice, backed up by a total fox on double bass, guitarist, bassist, but more importantly, the drummer in Shearwater is Thor. Thor Harris looks just like a Thor should look. He's like a viking god, flowing chest-length blonde hair, bulging muscles...if only viking gods played the following instruments: 

Drums, hammer dulcimer, xylophone, glockenspiel, water bowls, found instruments and homemade instruments (thanks, Wikipedia)

What are found instruments? Stuff out of a skip? Frankly, I don't care. And neither did Brummie. A woman who loves drummers as much as I do couldn't fail to be gripped by Thor. I'd tried to describe him to her, but when she spotted him, she was in heaven. They played a superb set, were called out to an encore, and as they finished the last song, the clapping started, and Brummie waved at them. And God bless him, Jonathan waved back at her. I completely pissed my pants laughing.

Hammer Of The Gods

(Postscript: Thor is also the drummer for Bill Callahan. If I ever see them both, doing their thing, on a stage, at the same time...well, I might just mess my pants.)

Shearwater And Other Birds

An old church is a pretty good place for a gig. Great acoustics, impressive decor, and a sense that something truly amazing might happen (with a helping hand from the Big Rock 'n' Roller In The Sky). So two consecutive nights in the same church (St Giles-In-The-Fields) for two top line-ups was like being in...well, er...heaven.

First up - Andrew Bird. The Brummie and Screwster very kindly bought me a ticket to this show as a birthday present (top gift - beats the shit out of talc or soap-on-a-rope). We met up in The Angel (fave pub - second home) for a pint beforehand. Good job too - no beer in the Lord's house! What? Everyone knows that Jesus And The Gang were quaffing red wine like there was no tomorrow back in the Bible Belt. Hypocrites. But as I can actually enjoy myself WITHOUT booze (oh yessir, I can), it matters not a jot. We got nearly the best seat in the house (best seat - naughty pew. Naughty pew is the back pew in the church, so priest/vicar can't see what you're up to, and you can sneak out easy), but we stood behind the naughty pew, so pretty perfect. Not technically a seat, but good nonetheless.

We'd missed the support, and Andrew Bird came on virtually straight away. And what a performance. That boy can sing, play guitar, play violin and whistle. He whistles like a total dream (well-known fact - I love whistling and my Dad was a great whistler). Loops all of this to make an orchestral sound, building up then paring it back down. Hugely talented. I'm not really too familiar with his work, but I had a great time, and his fans were definitely all out to see him. At one point, though, I was distracted by the homeless guy who'd come into the church, who sidled down the side aisle, then walked right in front of the altar (stage) and stuck two fingers up at Andrew Bird. I just pissed myself laughing.

When we left the church, we went back to The Angel for a nightcap and chat about the gig. As I started to say "well, he was just great and very polished and perfect but...", the Brummie piped up "I know what you're going to say" and weirdly enough, she really did. I was thinking about David Thomas Broughton (AKA Ginger Angel), who also loops his guitar, voice, whistle etc, in such a fascinating, shambolic but beautiful way - much more my cuppa. Less immaculate, more imaginative and exciting. Brummie agreed. And then we chatted about their forthcoming wedding, which gets me overexcited. Aaahhhh, romance...

Getting good value for money at a gig is a real priority in these cash-strapped times, so to see 4 acts in one night for £12 is SERIOUSLY cheap. I think you can safely say that any night put on by Howard & Lucy of The Local is always a bargain. Not just acts/£ ratio, but because they put on quality for your buck, and not just slot fillers. My second evening in St Giles' was spent with Bernie and Kieran, and we were joined at the last minute by Nadine (I'll be doing ATP Nightmare Before Christmas at Butlins Minehead with her in a few weeks - hi-de-hi!). Met up in The Angel (where else) for a quickie, then got into the church just in time to see Birdengine take the stage. And we got the naughty pew this time - result. 

I like Birdengine. Sadly, we missed a stellar lineup by The Local at Cafe OTO a few weeks ago (I was ill, it was a Monday) comprising Samamidon, Doveman and Birdengine. I can only imagine how bloody great that was. But finally I get to see him. And he's funny and odd. Anyone who has a song about spending his summer ripping heads off dogs then sewing the heads back on gets a big thumbs up from me. Greg Weekes of Espers comes on next. Good, but he just doesn't float my boat. So we pop back to The Angel for some whistle-whetting...

On our return, Absentee are taking the stage. I've wanted to see them since I read an article in The Guardian by Steven Adams (Broken Family Band) about them and their new album Victory Shorts. I liked the sound of them (thanks to a witty piece by Mr Adams too - looking forward to seeing him play again soon), so was quite excited. And they delivered. The singer, Dan, has a very deep voice (sigh) - the sort that can shift your last meal in your stomach at a hundred paces. From the stuff I've heard previously, I think they did a toned-down set befitting a church. Top stuff, though. Made me want to see them in a different setting soon.

And last but definitely not least - Shearwater. They have such a BIG sound. Haunting, beautiful stuff. And really very spiritual, which sent a shiver down my spine on more than one occasion during their set. This gig-in-a-church lark really does have a lot going for it. Well done to The Local folk.

By the time we left the church, last orders had been called at The Angel (good, old-fashioned pub sticking to 11pm closing), so I turned down a jaunt to the Crobar (not in the mood for Whitesnake after that folky loveliness) and got a lift back to Crouch End with B&K. Called me old mucker Hawkwind and we had a nice candlelit nightcap in the Queens...and then another in the Kings...well, after such a good night, it'd have been rude not to...