The Silver Surfer - Half Moon , London
by Olga Sladeckova
published: 15 / 1 / 2003
intro
One of the highlights of the recent Pennyblackmusic Night, Silver Surfer played the second date of their British tour at the London Half Moon. Olga Sladeckova watches the Portland, Orgegon shoegazers play another sparkling set
The Portland-based band Silver Surfer visited Britain in mid January to play a few shows here. The first one was at the Pennyblack Music Night at the London Spitz which sold out! 4 days later the band appeared at the Half Moon in Putney. The Half Moon is romantically situated on the banks of the river Thames. There are lamps along the sides glowing with yellowy light. There is no time to waste looking around though! It is 10 and Silver Surfer are already due on stage. 'Hi! We are Silver Surfer from Portland in Oregon' enthuses lead singer, Ryan Carroll. The band's first song of the night is 'Aquamarine'. Thundering guitars at the very start balance out against lighter guitar strumming and Ryan's reflective voice. 'She's Alive', the second song of the set, comes from Silver Surfer's first full length album 'If This Is Out There...' Keyboardist Doug Qaurtz's fingers hit the keyboards at the speed of light, and then the guitars and vocals break in. In between the songs Ryan teaches us about the glamorous history of the Half Moon. "The Rolling Stones played here at the Half Moon! U2! Silver Surfer! And many other famous bands" he comments. "I melt away you know? I've been this way before? And I say fuck it/Throw It All Away. It's Monday." sings Ryan in a relieved voice on 'Cannavass'. Guitars, drums and keyboard linger along in this laidback tune. The audience relaxes to the calm tunes and a few people sit at the front of the stage. When the song finishes Ryan reminds us that we can buy the new album right in the concert hall tonight. "It's only £ 5!" he calls out. "If you kiss our bass guitarist, it's only £ 4." An older man rushes to buy one CD but doesn't seem to be keen on kissing Jeremy Dietz, the bassist. Silver Surfer also add the Jesus and Mary Chain song 'Happy Place' to tonight's set. The cover version of the song is energetic and all the musicians join in singing it together as if their lives depend upon it. It's time to close tonight's performance. Ryan passes his guitar over to Doug, grabs microphone and the front trio start jumping up and down along with the hellishly fast tune of 'Bewitched'. Jeremy Dickerson, the drummer, punishes his drums with strong hits that force you to stand up and dance. That is it! Silver Surfer are not going back to the US quite yet, but I believe they will be back rocking London in a year's time. It will be worth the wait! Set List : Aquamarine She's Alive Change Your Mind Cannavas Chasing The Girls Hypnotune Clear As Stratosphere Honestly So Soft Chinese Kites If I Was A Girl Happy Place Sgt. Pepper Dolphin Endorphins Bewitched
Picture Gallery:-
interviews |
Interview (2003) |
One of the acts at the recent Pennyblackmusic bands night, Silver Surfer recently finished to much acclaim their first ever British tour. Olga Sladeckova talks to the Oregon group, who are ack for a second interview, about their new album 'If This Is Ou |
Interview (2002) |
reviews |
The Honestly EP (2002) |
"Fresh" sounding second album from Portland, Oregon indie-pop group with a chain of influences including the Pixies, the Beach Boys, the Jesus and Mary Chain, Blur and Ride |
most viewed articles
current edition
The Church - Interview with Steve KilbeyIn Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.
Simon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
Secret Shine - Interview
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
Repomen - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Jack Roscoe - Interview
Flaming Stars - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Sami Sumner - Interview
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPPrisoners - Interview
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Allan Clarke - Interview
Jimmy Nail - Interview
Michael Lindsay Hogg - Interview
Dwina Gibb - Interview
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Sam Brown - Interview 2008
Bluebells - Interview with Ken McCluskey
most viewed reviews
current edition
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for BreadIan Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Kula Shaker - Natural Magick
Inutili - A Love Supreme
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
Ty Segall - Three Bells
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart