The Clones and KBC ready to set sail

Following the Golden Cross gig the previous night, which showcased the city’s three favourite bands all under one roof, tonight’s audience was always going to be a little thin on the ground. In fact, it’s a wonder this week’s Showcase Fuzzy occurred at all, given the number of bands that pulled out.

The Clones were meant to be headlining on the 14th and The KBC also stepped in to fill a gap at the last minute. Both bands were clearly still riding high from the previous night’s gig and those who did attend were treated to a show packed with confidence and energy.

Star 27’s very own Frank Beaver kicked off proceedings with an acoustic set which treated us to a few Star 27 songs stripped to the bare bones and even a cover of the Boomtown Rats’ I Don’t Like Mondays. The Star 27 keyboardist started off on guitar looking and sounding both nervous and edgy for the first few songs, his voice overstretched on occasions.

Beautiful

Swapping the guitar for a keyboard changed Frank’s approach entirely, appearing much more confident and at home performing a beautiful version of Star 27’s Dice and, in true Star 27 fashion, 27 copies of the song were available at the bar after the set.

Three months ago, The KBC were hailed by many as the city’s best band and have done nothing but improve to this day. Most songs performed now contain a full set of lyrics making them much more complete and accessible to an audience, and they are perfecting the constant echo on the vocals.

The KBC arrived onstage in fancy dress; the lead guitarist dressed in a one-piece BAE systems pilots’ suit, complete with neck scarf and handle-bar moustache, bassist dressed as the bastard son of a Caribbean pirate and The Music’s Robert Harvey, and the drummer as some sort of rich eighties yacht owner.

Regardless of their comical appearance, The KBC went on to perform another storming set, worthy of the headline slot and lasting a good 45 minutes, including a brand new track which takes the hectic
drumbeat from Blur’s Song 2 but slows it down with an almost gothic
organ resonating over the top.

Resident punk-pop-rockers

The Clones did not take to the stage until after eleven, by which time a reasonable crowd had gathered at the stage. Following last week’s showcase The Wooden Soldiers were threatening to steal The Clones’ crown as resident punk-pop-rockers, but The Clones hit back showing exactly why they are so popular in local circles.

Every riff, jingle, intro, drum roll and punk yell is memorable and almost every song an easy sing along. The recently included ‘Secrets’ has now cemented its place in the live set, sounding much more fluid and smooth than previously, ironing out the seams between the chaotic verses and mellow chorus.

The band opted not to finish on traditional closer ‘Rockafella’ but still ended in a whirlwind of blazing lead guitars and rolling drums with Billy stood on the railings over the crowd, sunglasses reflecting the light, looking ever more the Rock Star.

These two bands clearly have something special if they keep writing and performing in this way, but they have to be careful not to become too comfortable with their heightened status within the local music scene.

Both bands are ready to sail the good ship Prestonia elsewhere and put this city on the musical map, and with The Mill closed for the coming month (Aug 15 - Sep 12) now is the ideal time to do it - before they miss the boat.

Written by Dan Jeoffroy

Photography: Dan Jeoffroy