Icebreaker promotions hosted two very different acoustic-based acts at Pat Molloy’s on Wednesday night.
Up first was Worn Down, a guy/girl acoustic duo who played through a set of warm, pensive original tracks in support of their debut EP ‘Get Out While You Can.’ Alex Wastnidge (guitar, harmonica, and vocals) and Becci Higgs (vocals) share a real sincerity in their performance, as Alex’s vocal energy drives the songs with an urgency that you wouldn’t normally associate with acoustic acts. Harmonies are well executed and not overdone, giving choruses an intensity that will endear the duo to most audiences who see their live performances in the relaxed environment of a local pub or outdoor summer festival. This is music to enjoy with a few drinks, and in the company of good friends, and it was little surprise to see several tables inside Pat Molloy’s doing just that.
EP opener ‘Monument’ has an Arcade Fire feel about it, with Alex’s passionate delivery leaving the audience in no doubt that the focus/subject of his lyrics is coming from a genuine place. Clever orchestration ties the vocal harmonies to Alex’s chord changes, and the introduction of the harmonica halfway through the track really lifts the mood into the final third. ‘Runaways’ is another memorable track, fusing a melancholy guitar rhythm with Becci’s understated but emotive vocal. There is a potential sing-along section at the middle eight, which could easily become a sway-along towards the end of a set, making this track an ideal closer for any folk-pop band with Worn Down’s potential.
Next up were the deceptively original Ichi and the Triggerfingers. A common complaint in any ‘scene’ town like Colchester is that the majority of bands from that area will eventually develop a similar sound and image to fit in with said ‘scene’. That statement couldn’t be further from the truth when it comes to Ichi and the Triggerfingers, and if it is ‘different’ that you’re after then look no further. Armed with a keyboard, classical guitar, double bass, Cajon (and other percussion), these three guys rapped and bopped their way through half a dozen or so hip hop classics, even throwing in one of their own grooved-fuelled gems for good measure.
What’s clear from the very first line of their first song (ODB’s ‘Got Your Money’) is that these guys have an infectious sense of fun. Carl Denham raps his way through an entire notebook’s worth of explicit, misogynistic lyrics in a typically deadpan, white boy fashion, no doubt enraging a minority but charming the majority. Percussionist Will’s Cajon really comes into play on Slick Rick’s track ‘Children’s Story’, as Carl urges the audience to Google an image of the rapper in order to check out his diamond encrusted eye patch. Joe provides backing vocals on Gorillaz’s ‘Clint Eastwood’ and a mischievous enthusiasm throughout the rest of the set, at times resembling a fairground organ grinder luring unsuspecting punters with his seemingly normal, inoffensive keys setup.
But a note of caution for any that might view Ichi as nothing more than a couple of novelty chancers. These guys can play. Carl switches between classical guitar and double bass while Will gets the most out of his limited percussion, beefing the songs up with classic hip hop bass/snare beats. Track number four is an original with a real groove and crazy instrumental section, allowing Carl to show off his obvious musical ability as he skips up and down the neck of the double bass before producing a bow for the notorious gangsta intro to closing track ‘The Next Episode’ (Dr Dre).
Towards the end Carl thanks the audience and venue for not beating or barring himself and his band mates, and Ichi will probably count themselves lucky with every gig that they leave unscathed. They are certainly not everybody’s cup of tea (or pimp juice, as the case may be) but I have yet to see a band perform such an entertaining satirical homage, let alone one dedicated to the pioneers of ‘gangsta’ rap (and played on classical instruments and basic percussion). So you can get with this, or you can get with that, but the one thing you should definitely ‘get with’ is Ichi and the Triggerfingers.
http://www.reverbnation.com/worndown#!
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