Misterlee - Washington, Sheffield, 14/4/2005
by Helen Tipping
published: 23 / 4 / 2005
intro
Despite a sparse audience at new and under-promoted venue the Sheffield Washington, Helen Tipping watches Misterlee, "one of the UK's more unusual band, rise to the occasion and put on an empassioned performance
Lee Allatson describes Misterlee's stage set-up as a teenage boy's bedroom, and, with the little twee bedside lamp he uses to see what he's up to, I can see where he's coming from, although I doubt many teenage boys would be make the kind of music that Misterlee make. The dark opening of 'The Caligula Waltz' is quite scary, made more so by Michael Curtis-Oxtoby's skeletal electric violin, that looks like a disembodied pelvis, and the bizarre collection of masks that adorn the walls of the bar, although the effect is somewhat spoiled by guitarist Jamie Smith who is grinning away, and obviously enjoying himself. Lee is one of those rarities, a percussionist that sings. I say percussionist rather than drummer, because he eschews the traditional drum set up, for a bass and snare drum and a variety of other percussive items, including his microphone. Moving into the more mellow 'Magnesium Horses', Lee uses his voice as an instrument, his vocals soaring above the music. This one elicits a cheer from the small, but select, audience gathered to watch them. Misterlee's music isn't immediately accessible. It can't be easily labelled and boxed, and maybe that puts people off. In a lazy consumer society, it's difficult to get people to engage with music that's not easy to understand, but when you make the effort, it can be incredibly rewarding. And not all the tracks are difficult to engage with, tracks like 'Averagely Beautiful' are easier to listen to, whilst retaining originality and an experimental edge. I don't think that people, however, haven't turned up because the music is difficult. I think it's just down to poor publicity by the venue. They're going to have to get their act together if they want bands to play here. Despite the darkness of some of the music, the band are funny and Lee makes light hearted comments and tells stories between tracks. Stories seem to be important to the lyrics, and many of them seem to come from Lee's childhood or teenage years, like 'Job on a Bike', 'Christmas' and 'Natural Born Blond'. By the end, there are only five of us in the audience, but all appear to have appreciated this gig. A couple of people stop to talk to Lee and say how much they have enjoyed it, so hopefully they'll go back and tell their friends and next time Misterlee play Sheffield there might be a few more people ready to appreciate one of the UK's more unusual bands.
Picture Gallery:-
profiles |
Interview (2005) |
Experimental Leicester band Misterlee recently self-released their second album 'Night of the Killer Longface'. Helen Tipping speaks to them about being part of the anti-folk movement and how they self-promote themselves |
reviews |
This Disquiet Dog (2010) |
Oddball, but effective and gripping third album from Leicester-based experimental act, Misterlee |
Bootlegger (This is Not a Lifestyle Sandwich) (2007) |
Night Of The Killer Longface (2005) |
most viewed articles
current edition
Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies - Sala Apolo, Barcelona, 29/11/2023 and La Paqui, Madrid, 30/11/2023Anthony Phillips - Interview
Difford and Tilbrook - Difford and Tilbrook
Rain Parade - Interview
Oldfield Youth Club - Interview
Autumn 1904 - Interview
Shaw's Trailer Park - Interview
Cafe No. 9, Sheffield and Grass Roots Venues - Comment
Pete Berwick - ‘Too Wild to Tame’: The story of the Boyzz:
Chris Hludzik - Vinyl Stories
previous editions
Microdisney - The Clock Comes Down the StairsHeavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EP
World Party - Interview
Michael Lindsay Hogg - Interview
Ain't That Always The Way - Alan Horne After The Sound of Young Scotland 2
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Dwina Gibb - Interview
World Party - Interview with Karl Wallinger
Barrie Barlow - Interview
Prisoners - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Marika Hackman - Big SighSerious Sam Barrett - A Drop of the Morning Dew
Rod Stewart and Jools Holland - Swing Fever
Ian M Bailey - We Live in Strange Times
Loves - True Love: The Most of The Loves
Paul McCartney and Wings - Band on the Run
Autumn 1904 - Tales of Innocence
Roberta Flack - Lost Takes
Banter - Heroes
Posey Hill - No Clear Place to Fall
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