Miscellaneous - Joseph Well's, Leeds, 1/10/2005

  by Helen Tipping

published: 14 / 9 / 2005

intro

Screaming Banshee Aircrew combine their unique blend of goth rock with some tongue-in-cheek humour. Helen Tipping watches them play a lively set at Joseph's Well in Leeds

Mr Ed, lead singer of Screaming Banshee Aircrew, bears more than a passing resemblance to Peter Murphy of Bauhaus. Stylewise, they adopt the do it yourself fashion that I remember from 80's goth, with ripped leather trousers over fishnets and crimped spiky hair. Goth is being repackaged these days as Death Rock, but Screaming Banshee Aircrew are happy to admit their goth roots. Musically similar to The March Violets, with more than a passing nod towards The Cramps, particularly in 'Hello Mr Hyde', they are not a band to take themselves seriously, dispelling the myth that goth has to be all doom and gloom. Second singer, Jo, is opera trained and this adds an extra dimension to their show. She also plays electric violin on the new track 'In Flames'. The two singers interact with one another with a real chemistry on stage. Using radio mics they move out into the audience picking on individuals and singing to them at random. As well as the singers, there is Chris the bassist and guitarist Nick who also programmes the drum machine and keyboard sounds. They are not quite as mobile but generally not left out of the general silliness that's sometimes exhibited onstage. Joseph's Well is quite crowded tonight with four bands on, with a variety of styles - the goth rock of Sheffield's Way of all Flesh opening. They do a nice line in black sticks of rock with the band's initials through it. Zeitgeist Zero are on next. Their style is more industrial sounding. They a trio of guitarist, synth player and a female singer, who, like Jo & Mr Ed is quite entertaining and has a very dramatic style and an excellent voice. Screaming Banshee Aircrew are the best of the four for me, and I must admit I got a bit bored during Killing Miranda, who again are more of a rock band. I want to like them because the singer again is entertaining, I just find the music quite samey, whereas Zeitgeist Zero and Screaming Banshee Aircrew have songs that differ slightly in style, whilst maintaining an overall theme. All four bands are good at what they do making it one of the better goth nights I've been to recently. The photographs that accompany this article were taken by Neil Bailey

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