Second gig night in a row last night - Warmduscher at the 100 Club, which could hardly be more of a contrast to the Barbican as a venue (but both iconic in their own ways).
I am physically wrecked this morning - haven't been this bruised after a gig for a long, long time. Mainly a result of getting bashed against the edge of the stage a lot - even got knocked over onto the stage a couple of times. At one point I was bundled over and my head came down on the guitarist's monitor so I got a blast straight into my left ear, which is still ringing this morning.
It was fucking awesome. Gig of the year by a country mile.
Probably my favourite band right now, and they are something else live. Only the second time I've seen them and the first was an in-store event at Rough Trade, so this was the first proper gig of theirs I've been to and they more than lived up to expectations. I doubt there's a tighter rhythm section anywhere in rock music right now than Ben Romans Hopcraft (bass) and Bleu Ottis (drums). And Clams Baker is an extraordinary front man. Turns it up waaaay past 11.
Support was pretty good too - Industry Standard, who are yet another one of the current wave of "post punk bands with a shouty singer", but they are very decent musicians with some great songs (and great song titles - eg Rapey Bobby, Grief Shag), and the frontwoman whose name I didn't catch has fantastic stage presence.
Industry Standard @ 100 Club by
citoyen, on Flickr
Industry Standard @ 100 Club by
citoyen, on Flickr