Brighton after dark: 15 July 2014

BEN BAILEY
A band, a duo and a singer-songwriter

Their first album was a cheeky collection of twee and lo-fi folk pop; their second was a sadder, more adult record that even managed to smuggle in a few piano ballads. Thus no one really knows what to expect from the next release by Slow Club (Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar, Wed 15 July). The Sheffield boy/girl duo are back on the touring wagon with their third LP, Complete Surrender, released this week. The fact it was recorded with Richard Hawley’s producer Colin Elliot might give us some clues about the band’s new sound, however, we’ve also heard rumours that the LP was inspired by the music of Motown and Memphis, as well as Frankie Valli and David Bowie. Less a change of direction then, more a complete about-face.

On the face of it Kiran Leonard (The Hope, Fri 17 July) is a singer-songwriter, but never has that tag been so misleading. His debut album, Bowler Hat Soup, which came out last November, saw the Oldham teenager play a grand total of 24 instruments (from a guitar to an actual grill), creating in the process a loopy mash-up of Americana, meaty garage rock and stuff that somehow sounds like show tunes. The album comes with manic lyrics, literary references, a psychedelic felt-tip doodle on the cover and weird press release statements that claim it to be “a hexadecagonal pseudo-fortress”. We have no idea what he intends to do live.

And the winners of the week’s best band name is: The Majestic Unicorns From Hell (Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar, Sun 20 July). “We’re a serious band,” say the Luxembourg rockers, “in case you got confused by the band name.”

One listen would be enough: genre-chomping instrumentals from a dynamic quartet who use speech samples, sound loops and electronic “help-devices” to provide a broody, atmospheric backdrop to their heavier metal moments. TMUFH play at SMFB (which is, after all, a suitably silly venue name) supported by the post-rock of fellow countrymen Kitshickers, King Goat’s doom metal and the twisted prog of Sci’enta Dystene.

Follow: @latestbrighton

Brighton Noise
Chris Kuzmiski on the week’s best gigs

You know the drill kids, go to all these gigs, although you will need a doppelganger on Sunday. From Ann Arbour USA, Shigeto is bringing his subdued jazzy electronica to Green Door Store on Wednesday. He’s released three albums in four years. Remember when bands did that? When a discography meant something. By all accounts it’s somewhat of a religious experience; one to catch while he’s still playing cosy rooms like GDS.

On Thursday, everyone’s favourite avant-garde promoters Spirit Of Gravity are putting on the first of their new nights, titled ‘The Scope’, at Caroline Of Brunswick. As usual with SoG, it will be a diverse array of cerebral to ridiculous bands, with added visual stimulation. Multimedia mate, you know you want it! It’s donations on the door so give generously, you cannot subsist on sine waves you know.

Locals REDS are described as ‘droning kraut sludge’. So you have a fairly simple decision: go and see them on Friday at Mrs Fitzherberts, or wallow in the mediocrity of not submitting to their droning kraut sludge. Support comes from Thomas House who will be supplying all manner of minimal crooked sounds, in preparation for aforementioned droning kraut sludge.

Ever been to the oasis of cool, Brighton Arts Club? It’s tucked behind London Road beside that enormous church.

Fantastically idiosyncratic place. On Saturday, there’s Bleepstock. It’s an all-consuming day of electronica from abstract free improv to sleazy synthpop, with some ambient and chilled stuff in between. The line up is longer than the Magna Carta and it’s only a fiver. It’s a win/win, folks.

What is left to say about the right honourable sir Andrew WK? Tyrannical enforcer of inebriation, piano driven smooth balladeer, Village Voice columnist and most bizarrely, a respected extreme noise musician? On Sunday at The Haunt he will be assuming the rawk leviathan guise. So even if you haven’t necessarily partied until you’ve puked since 2001, it may be time to get some sugary toxic shots down your neck. Also competing for your rock quota on Sunday is the off-shoot of the somewhat legendary Thin Lizzy – Black Star Riders. There may be harmonised guitars, there may also be some mildly embarrassing air guitar, there may even be a ‘skullet’. It’s all kicking off, dad, at Concorde 2. And just as a warning, kids; that’s what your tattoos will look like in 25 years. Brighton Noise = sound consumer advice.

Follow: @BrightonNoise

>CLUB HIGHLIGHTS< Don’t miss our pick of Brighton after dark

WÜF
Part-gig, part-club, Smashing Blouse’s monthly night at SMFB sees the electro duo Vaiko supporting Salt Ashes’ brooding synthpop – followed by several hours of howlin’ party DJs.
Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar,
Fri 18 July, 11pm, £4/3

MOTIVE
Celebrating five years of putting out dark and deep drum ’n’ bass, Ingredients Records is marking the occasion with a night down the Volks with Skeptical, Foreign Concept and label boss himself, Clive Ingredients. It’s also Codebreaker MC’s last ever outing.
Volks, Sat 19 July, 11pm, £5

SPELLBOUND
What does ’80s music mean to you? Rick Astley? Wham? Novelty hits by former Neighbours actors? DJ Simon Price plays the alternative highlights of the decade in an attempt to prove it wasn’t all bad.
Komedia, Sat 19 July, 9pm, £6/5

GREEN DOOR BLUES
Weekly blues night with resident live trio, Smokestack, and DJ Hep Catt Matt spinning the vinyl. Also contains R ’n’ B (as in rockin’ rhythm and blues, not smoochy garage).
Green Door Store, Sun 20 July, 11pm, Free