We’ve been anticipating this gig for what feels like an eternity. In reality, it hasn’t been that long, but ever since I heard an advance copy of Mclusky’s incredible new (don’t call it a comeback) album, ‘The World Is Still Here and So Are We’ I’ve been obsessed with the idea of seeing it live. So here we are, back at the wonderful Brudenell Social Club, ready for a noisy, aggressive, and raucous performance from my favourite British band of grumpy, complicated men.
First up, though, Klamp, a super group of sorts, comprising members of IDLES, Pulled Apart By Horses, Manatees, and others, and are in support. From the get-go, it seems that conforming to any expectations is not happening; the band are uncompromising, jagged, and direct. The vocals consist of the frontman growling repeated words, phrases and noises at the crowd, unless I’m missing something. The band deals in repetitive, relentless battery of brutalist noise rock which is well received and will likely take a few listens to fully sink in, which is arguably something all good art needs.
Not many bands start with a lyric that exclaims “fuck this band,” but then not every band is Mclusky; in fact, no other band is like Mclusky apart from maybe Future Of The Left, which is partially Mclusky. Are you coming? Follows and the pit erupt in a sing-along fist-shaking mode, and I start to worry for the safety of our photographer, Thomas. Andrew “Falko” Faulkus addresses the crowd in his usual deadpan style and says, “three songs in and I’ve got a broken guitar, that’s not a badge of honour… that’s a technical problem,” as he corrects the cheering crowd. Mclusky is the closest the UK has to a Jesus Lizard or a Melvins in terms of noise rock royalty, and tonight they are simply on fire. New tracks like “The Unpopular Parts Of A Pig” are yelled back at the band en masse; pints are spilt, and pogoing is mandatory. Chekhov’s Guns follows and sounds just as pummelling live and gets me grinning at its lyrical wit and masterful use of the English language.
I honestly would just come to watch Mclusky for the in-between song patter, and I’m going to refrain from quoting these endlessly quotable exchanges with the crowd for fear of ruining future gigs. Rest assured it’s not only the music that’s clever and very entertaining. She Will Only Bring You Happiness provides a moment of touching balladry if it wasn’t for the refrain of, “our old singer is a sex criminal.” The jerking bop of Auto Focus On The Prime Directive is utterly infectious. Bassist Damian flings himself around in a dangerously intense fashion, and the overall unsafe live feeling here is such a breath of fresh air as an alternative to the sea of mediocrity in the modern mainstream. I’ll confess that I missed Mclusky the first time round, but tonight they prove why they are my favourite newish-to-me band as they level the Brudenell with To Hell With Good Intentions and make sure we all know there are no encores at all!
What a gig, we need some air! Mclusky will no doubt level every festival stage you put them on this summer. We find our intrepid photographer safe and sound and go home smiling.
Review By George Miller – https://www.facebook.com/oneflamemedia
Photos By: Thomas Hazlehurst
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Klamp
Mclusky
