Luxury Stranger - (Supported by Desperate Journalist), Chameleon, Nottingham, 13/12/2014

  by Dave Goodwin

published: 9 / 2 / 2015

intro

Dave Goodwin watches Nottingham-based alternative rockers Luxury Stranger play a stunning set of classic and new material at the Chameleon in Nottingham

Not for the first time and I doubt if it will be the last, I venture up the narrow staircase to The Chameleon in Nottingham's city centre. It's opposite the Market Square which this evening is sporting Christmas fare with trees and lights and music of its own. As festive as it is, I'm afraid it is no substitute for what I'm about to treat my eardrums to. As a way of saying thanks to their supporters, Luxury Stranger are performing a full set free of charge, with support coming from London's Desperate Journalist. The support make no bones about the cold as they set up and I must admit it is a tad nippy, but we soon warm up as bodies start to infiltrate the small dark room. Just to give you an idea of the place, if you can go back to the UK sitcom ‘The Young Ones’ and imagine the living room, but add a massive corner settee in striking brown leather complete with foam bursting through, tape on the walls where posters used to be and a seriously uneven floor then you've got the picture. Desperate Journalist are Jo Bevan (vocals), Simon Drowner (bass), Rob Hardy (guitar) and Caz Hellbent (drums) and only formed in 2013 ,but are about to release their self-titled debut album on Fierce Panda. They are a superb sounding post punk outfit who combine elements of the Cranberries, Bjork and a heavier-sounding Smiths. Bevan leads from the front and the whole band just ooze confidence, rattling their way through no less than twelve tracks of which nine are from the new release. Having warmed us all up, Desperate Journalist take a back seat as about half an hour later Simon York and the two Tims set up, picking us all up in one mighty swoop and bludgeoning us all into oblivion with the powerhouse that is Luxury Stranger. Once again it is apparent that this is no ordinary band. They stick to their task and together as one in brilliant fashion. After being quiet for months, they certainly come out firing with a mixture of old and new, beginning with 'Paradise Untouched' from ‘Desolation’. The tracks pick up a relentless pace, and fourth and then fifth in they play big crowd favourites in 'Nothing Holy' and 'A Triumph of the Heart' before making this chap’s day with a rare rendition of 'She Takes my Soul and Wipes It Clean'. It is not just a winner with me it seems. More brilliance ensues and they break into blasts of 'When the Lady Takes the Blame' with York's sly almost sarcastic-looking grin and anguished face piercing the darkness in front. Finishing the night off with 'Side of the Road' and 'Diver', they sign off in good style and retire for a few beers. There has to be a big well done to The Chameleon and to both the two bands on show here. All for free has been tonight two of what can only be described as 'the best hidden talent' in one place, making music of sheer brilliance for folk who obviously love the sound of them. Set Lists: Desperate Journalist: Control O Eulogy Happening Remainder Kitten Wait Distance, Hesitate Nothing Cristina Organ Luxury Stranger: Paradise Untouched The Real is Done Wash Nothing Holy Safety Check A Triumph of the Heart She Takes My Soul and Wipes It Clean When the Lady Takes the Blame Dismissal Takeover Korruption The Things that Mean a Thing to You Side of the Road Diver Phoots by Dave Goodwin www.davegoodwinimages.com

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