Brighton after dark: 24 June 2014
BEN BAILEY
On going clean and being a Jackass
Having recorded six albums with US alt-rockers The Czars, John Grant (Brighton Dome, Fri 27 June) finally struck out as a solo musician in 2010. Since then, he has put out two critically-lauded releases, been nominated for the Brits and seen his songs covered by the likes of Sinéad O’Connor. It’s not been an easy ride though: after his band fell apart, Grant’s mother died of cancer, leaving him struggling with depression and drug abuse. Then, two years ago, he announced he was HIV-positive. Somehow, miraculously, he has managed to turn it around. Moving to Reykjavík might have helped, but arguably the heartache has been poured straight into the music. A master lyricist, Grant sets his open-hearted confessionals to compelling piano ballads and folk-inflected indie rock (recorded with the help of Midlake and Villagers frontman Conor O’Brien). Whoever stole his laptop at last year’s Kemp Town gig needs to give the guy a break.
Former Brighton resident Emilíana Torrini (St George’s Church, Fri 27 June), also recently moved to Reykjavík. In her case, it was a homecoming, rather than an escape, but it apparently played an important part in the making of last year’s album, Tookah. With a more experimental approach to songwriting, the album sees the pendulum of Torrini’s folk and electronica tendencies swinging far to the latter. However, as always, it’s her gorgeous vocals that define the songs. Best known for her 2009 single Jungle Drum and her work on The Lord Of The Rings soundtrack, Torrini seems to flit between the roles of pop singer, folk musician and dance music diva. Which is she? Does it matter?
From the sublime to the ridiculous. This week we also get Bam Margera and his sort-of-novelty-act F*ckface Unstoppable (The Haunt, Mon 30 June). The former pro skater was part of the Jackass crew, but has lately taken to dressing like a homeless pirate and fronting a punk band comprised his girlfriend, fellow skater Brandon Novak and various members of Pennsylvania metalhead outfit, CKY. Together, they play covers of bands like Turbonegro, Clutch and Bloodhound Gang – interspersed with a couple of originals (not that you’re really going for the music). It’s been suggested that Bam lost the plot after the death of his friend Ryan Dunn in 2011 and has since been on a bender of drugs and stupid stunts. Last year, Bam’s guitarist quit, claiming he couldn’t stand watching his friend destroying himself. The good news is that he’s still going; the bad news is that he’s still at it.
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Brighton Noise
Alastair Reid on the week’s best gigs
The War on Drugs kick off the top picks this week, and we promise that’s the only football-related pun you’ll get out of us. The Concorde is a fitting venue for Wednesday’s show, as there’s always been something anthemic about the Philadelphia four-piece, the band Kurt Vile famously quit to go it alone, touring March’s Lost in the Dream. Springsteen and 80s stadium rock cast a long shadow over the rolling plains of WoD’s musical terrain, but serve as more melancholic nostalgia than booming euphoria, best heard on lead track Red Eyes.
Leaving Americana for the avant-garde, Jez Bernholz leads a night of experimental synth pop and electronica at the Green Door Store on Thursday. Bernholz is also a visual artist as the video for My History will attest.
Solitude, tension and time are the themes as Bernholz warms into the Human League-inspired track, out on his label Anti-Ghost Moon Ray. Glitchy Brighton Noise favourites Foreign Skin and Japanese Sweets support.
tUnE-yArDs, or Merrill Garbus to her mates, has been ratcheting up the production values on her afro-beat pop since the 2009 debut BiRd-BrAiNs. Recorded on a dictaphone and self-released on recycled cassettes, the record was first picked up by Portland label Marriage Records before 4AD – home of Bon Iver, Efterklang, Future Islands and more – spotted her rising star. Thankfully, rid of the painful stylisation for third album Nikki Nack, Garbus is still as playful but infinitely more professional, and playing at the Concorde on Thursday too.
Emiliana Torrini at St George’s on Friday gets a nod from us too, but we’ll be at The Cowley Club for the excellent pairing of Housewives and I’m Being Good. The latter were once compared to Polvo by Stewart Lee and have a delirious sonic schizophrenia that can veer between two-minute fits and 10-minute epics in a back catalogue that could go on for days. The former are equally noisesome and intentionally abrasive, combining largely monotone vocals with a 21st-century post-punk that sits somewhere between Metz and Women. If you’re familiar with those bands, then you’re in for a treat.
The Brian Jonestown Massacre are at the Concorde on Saturday, and anyone who saw the childish feuds depicted in 2004 film Dig! will want to see whether singer Anton Newcombe’s protests at unfair representation are
well-founded or not.
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>CLUB HIGHLIGHTS<
RUBADUB CLUB
Reggae royalty, Prince Fatty, brings back an upbeat and positive vibe to the dancehall with his rocksteady riddims and vintage early 70s sounds. With help from local DaggerSound DJs.
Audio, Fri 27 June, 11pm, £5
OUT
About time there was a new night on the city’s queer calendar. We have a reputation to maintain, after all. Music-wise, it’s a party mix of pop and hip hop with a big slant towards ’90s stuff.
Bermuda Triangle, Fri 27 June, 11pm £5/4
THE ZOO
Party animals of all stripes will be sniffing out this fancy dress club night – featuring face painting, live animal performances (whatever that means) and some wild beats. Despite having an entire animal kingdom to choose from, most people will still go as cats.
Digital, Sat 28 June, 11pm, £7/5
BIG NIGHT OUT
Seven rooms and four DJ arenas, not to mention entire walls made of LEDs, live percussion, gymnasts and loads of lasers – as well as a battery of CO2 cannons to keep you cool in the crowd. It might not be clever, but it’s definitely BIG.
Pryzm, Sat 28 June, 8pm, £9
