Scientists - Spitz, London, 26/4/2007

  by Anthony Strutt

published: 18 / 5 / 2007

intro

At the Spitz in London, Anthony Strutt is stunned by reformed Australian 80's band the Scientists' blend of Stooges-style punk and feedback-drenched rock 'n' roll

Australia's answer to the Dream Syndicate totally blew me away. I didn't know the Scientists at all during their '81-87 heyday, only that they played places like the Clarendon Ballroom in Hammersmith. This gig was part of a blues festival, which was weird as I wouldn't really call their music blues at all. The first support band of the evening were the Lot Lizards, who had a Japanese female drummer and were a two piece in a similiar vein to the White Stripes. Blood Safari followed and were like a rockabilly combination of the Clash and the Fall. While the Scientists hail from Perth in West Australia, they sound more like Americans both in feel and in their themes. Their 90 minute merged together Stooges-style punk and feedback-drenched rock 'n' roll. At times it sounded slightly bluesy, but only very rarely. Tonight they looked like mature statemen of their craft whereas before they used to look like the Fuzztones or the Ramones. The guitars were turned up full, and the songs, of which I knew none, were total music to my ears. The group, which featured for this showand tour vocalist and guitarist Kim Salmon, guitarist Tony Thewlis, bassist Boris Sujdovic and their original stand-in drummer Leanne Chock., however, apparently played nearly all the songs that gave them their reputation from the early 80's. They only announced two songs. 'Happy Hour' wasn't a happy little tune. It had a deformed sound. The only other announced number was the second song of their encore, the classic 'If This is the Last Thing I Do'... Let's just hope it isn't as this band broke all the rules and were responsible for influencing Mudhoney and Sonic Youth and also include Jon Spencer as a fan.

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