TEN BENSON +
80S MATCHBOX B-LINE DISASTER +
DESERT HEARTS
London Camden Monarch 16th May 2002
Desert Hearts have changed a lot since I saw them about four years ago in Belfast. Since then they've acquired a cracking new drummer and released a near-classic debut album 'Let's Get Worse'. Their stage presence has also improved and they come across as pretty confident, despite the fact that this London debut gig is being recorded for XFM. The uptempo tunes work best tonight - 'This is This', the single 'No More Art' and 'Last Song' are the most impressive. They remind me a lot of bands like Unrest and Versus with their understated melodies and interplay between the male and female vocals. London is full of vapid fashion music, and tonight Desert Hearts gave us a bit of a release from it all.
The clumsily named 80s Matchbox B-Line Disaster are the latest victims of music industry hype. For a start they look like a Hollywood director's idea of what a 'Lahndahn-indie-band' should be, including a couple of hilarious haircuts. The singer initially strikes me as a cross between Andrew WK and Richard Ashcroft, and the music doesn't strike me as anything at all. However, after a while the singer starts to work the crowd - challenging the apathetic ones and in the process lifting things up a gear. There may be some redeeming factors after all, with hints of the raw energy of the Stooges, the Birthday Party and the Cramps in some of the later songs. If they can sideline the posing a bit, they may be a name worth watching.
All this talk of posing brings us nicely around to Ten Benson. Unlike the preceding band they have a great name, although their mullets, string vests and tattoos are every bit a deliberate statement as any band with a stylist. Ten Benson are having a laugh, as their appearance and song titles suggest - if you're still in doubt, bear in mind that the new album is called 'Satan Kidney Pie' !
We get tasters from it tonight - most impressive are 'Nobody's Wife' and 'Tits' - and the mix of AC/DC and ZZ Top riffing with Spinal Tap lyrics can't fail. The mighty 'Rock Cottage' is my personal favourite, and although an hour or so of these guys can try most people's patience, there is a definite groan of disappointment when they can't play the final encore due to an equipment failure. Quality post-Tap rock'n'roll.
