I predict a Riot Grrl
The Suffrajets, Mr G and Rich & Deptford Mice
Vertigo at The Cellar, 2 May
With Trinity term in full swing and the sun shining, it seems appropriate to, as Pink once suggested, Get the Party Started, and what better excuse than IMSoc’s own clubnight, Vertigo? But if the sun was shining, no-one has told Deptford Mice, and it is doubtful that Pink gets her parties started with high atmospheric post-rock.
As an opener, they manage to confuse and enthrall the crowd in equal measure, with doomy ‘cello and double bass effects combining with angular guitar riffs to create a veritable wall of sound. Party music this ain’t. Such a challenging and, let’s face it, pretentious band was never likely to win over every punter (although the ones enthusiastically joining in banging pots and pans seemed happy enough).
It is an interesting experiment nonetheless, and the potential for Mogwai-esque greatness isn’t out of the question. For Mr G and Rich, however, pop is far from a dirty word. This is not to say that there is no room for experimentation — this duo has no need for a drummer, with thumping beats emerging from a drum machine allowing some glorious guitar hooks and basslines to steal the show.
Soaring vocals reminiscent of JJ72 make for some barnstorming choruses, and the darkly tinged lyrics of songs like Your Kind Of Hardcore are certainly refreshing. On paper, this is pop perfection. Sadly, there is still something missing. Even if all the ingredients of a great pop rock band are there, Mr G and Rich are yet to deliver that defi nitive moment of originality that will set them apart.
The Suffrajets could be accused of peddling similarly uninspiring wares, but if there is one thing these girls have got, it is confi dence. Dismiss them as generic all-girl garage rock at your peril — this is the kind of band that did not see Tank Girl as a kitsch cult classic, but an actual documentary.
OK, so they are not without their flaws and the Babyshambles connection is not doing them any favours, but what is the point in dwelling on such gripes? This is straight up rock with more balls than most of The Suffrajets’ male counterparts. Their enthusiasm is in
11th May 2006