Thee Higher Beings, Deerstalker, Mudblind
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Thee Higher Beings, Deerstalker, Mudblind
Auntie Annie’s
Wednesday, 25th January, 2012
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With their lead guitarist soon bound for down under, desert rock four-piece Thee Higher Beings have decided to call it a day on the current form of the band. It's no doubt a pity, but with their almost celebratory hard-hitting sound - not to mention support tonight from two up-and-coming, significantly younger bands - this is all about looking forward, not back.
With their drummer currently out of the country, Belfast blues-rockers Mudblind go unplugged this evening in what proves to a revelatory start to the night. Whilst the laidback dynamic of 'Blues Island Train' reveals the intricacies and sheer tightness of their sound, frontman Rab Kane's commanding vocals come to the fore on new song, 'Working Man's Blues', and the swampy groove of set closer/highlight 'Magic Roundabout'. Unplugged or otherwise, Mudblind have few rivals in this country with their approach.Ìý
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Up next, relatively new to a currently thriving power trio scene, "progressive grunge" three-piece Deerstalker transform the mood beyond recognition. Full of bold rhythmic shifts and frontman Olly Dickson's virtuoso, though occasionally self-indulgent guitar playing, the likes of 'Just When You Thought It Was Safe' and highlight 'Want You To Know' reveal a band that have worked tirelessly to hone such surprise. In fact, despite bassist Andy Carruthers looking like he forgot to switch the gas off at home, the band seem perfectly confident throughout - and why not with forward-thinking, riff-fuelled desert-prog this good?
Following such an urgent performance is never easy but, befitting their reputation as masters of the unapologetically suave set, Thee Higher Beings are more than up to the task. Following frontman TB Chapman's typically wry "we're Thee Higher Beings and this is our last show", the four-piece tear through a first-rate set taking in the rollicking force of 'Smash The State', Mark Lanegan cover 'Lexington Slow Down' and a first/last airing of 'Gonna Tell On You'. Whilst positively pummelling as a unit - and with Chapman himself in gruffest form throughout - it's Gary Youngblood's blistering lead-guitar work that drives forth this final curtain call from band that will surely be missed.Ìý
Brian Coney
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