07.09.08
It’s not for the cock, it’s for the soul full of rock
White Denim @ Bodega Social 07/07/08
Tonight, The Bodega Social is brimming with genuine excitement and anticipation- providing the unusual sight of the venue being already packed for the first support band.
With an epic blast of alt-rock screeching guitars and tumbling drums and they pull off a surprisingly good live show considering their slot on the bill.
Human Hair are a different proposition all together. They look like the Young Knives at boy scout age and create genuinely perplexing anti indie little tartlets. With strange, detuned guitars, even stranger rhythms and an apparent thirst for creating difficult, semi unlistenable songs- it’s impossible on one hearing to say whether they’re utter bollocks or the dog’s bollocks.
Finally it’s White Denim’s turn and so eager they are that they come to play to the squashed crowd 15 minutes before their allotted stage time. They don’t seem to want to waste any time and launch straight into a sprawling psyche rock jam- the loose, wobbly bass wrapping itself around the sun kissed, unrestrained guitars and the rattling drums pushing the whole thing along. It’s a great start to the set and they keep the momentum going pretty much throughout the night, only slowing things down slightly in-between songs when they seem strangely shy.
Songs from the band’s recent debut, “Workout Holiday” are revamped and brought even further to life tonight. “Don’t look That Way At It” is transformed into a fast, spiralling, feel good blast of bombast which stands comfortably alongside their more rock ‘n’ roll material. Singer/guitarist, James Petralli, approaches his guitar sometimes with a tender touch, sometimes with unrestrained ferociousness and has a face made up of hard concentration, occasionally spilling out into near orgasmic joy. The whole band are brilliant- playing off each other and sparking what seems to be little improvised spurts in the music to create a fun, raucous, rabble rousing set of good ol’ American rock and providing what’s probably been the best gig at the Social this year.
Princess said,
July 9, 2008 at 1:23 pm
That sounds amazing, I hope I get a chance to see them soon. MP3s?
The G said,
July 9, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Will do soon, I’m at work so don’t have access to any of that stuff.
It was a really freat gig though, can’t wait to see them again.
mike said,
July 9, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Yes, it was a fantastic show, and also my favourite at the Bodega this year. I just couldn’t get over how different the band sound on stage compared to on record, i.e. much improved (and don’t get me wrong, I do like the record, but it sounds too tidy and restrained by comparison, i.e. two qualities which WD live most certainly are not).
Danny said,
August 2, 2008 at 11:20 pm
I was there, and have to agree that it was a stunning gig to perfectly complement a stunning debut album. I’m really glad that someone else has actually heard of them - although I get the feeling that White Denim are going to be huge in a few months time, especially with the new Channel 4 advert, and possibly a set at Leeds (can anyone confirm this? could have sworn I saw them on the lineup at some point).
Hope they come back soon. Did you take any other pictures?