Kills - Soho Revue Bar, London, 15/1/2008

  by Anthony Strutt

published: 11 / 1 / 2008

intro

At his first gig of the year, Anthony Strutt enjoys a set of primitive and raw Velvet Underground-influenced rock from indie guitar duo, the Kills

I always like to make my first gig of the New Year a special one. This is pretty much a secret gig, hidden away in an ex-strip joint which is now a gay bar, but still fitted out as the world famous Paul Raymond revue bar it always was. With poles and mirrors everywhere, there is at the back a pricey bar and everywhere in the small club are young, trendy people, whom probably have never heard of the Kills, but who want to see Kate Moss' new boyfriend in action. The Kills are tonight being filmed by their record company, Domino, and are previewing their third album,'Midnight Boom', which is due out in March. They are a two piece featuring Jamie Hince on guitar and vocals and Alison Mosshart on main vocals and also occasional guitar. Tonight's set lasts a mere 39 minutes but it's as much as you would want, as their sound is loud and raw, and they are assisted by a mere drum machine. The band arrive on stage pretty early at about 9.30 p.m. to a club that is completely rammed full. They open with the title track to their second album, 'No Wow', which is primitive in sound with guitar that is haunting and dark and which has the pace of an on-coming train. Alison's vocals meanwhile recall PJ Harvey. She is a hot lady in skin tight blue jeans with a leopard patterned jacket. She spends a lot of the set with her hair dancing around her face, looking sexy, rock star like, and very beautiful. 'Pull A U', the second track, has a meaty guitar sound that is on a par with the Raveonettes. Alison sounds like she is howling at the moon on this song about a $2 love, while the chorus is sung as a duet. 'URA Fever', the current single, is more sleazy than on record, with Alison here coming over like Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders while Jamie's guitar is slick, short and to the point. 'Black Rooster' is an old song that is again reminiscent of the Raveonettes, this time in rockabilly fashion. 'Tape Song' has the great line of "We fuck and fight". It is another primitive and raw number which sounds like the Velvets, and is sung in a way between Jamie and Alison as if it was a duet between John Cale and Nico. 'Last Day' is more poppy based but also has a hard edge, while 'Of Magic' is sang as a duet and again is Velvets like. 'Kissy, Kissy' has a psychedelic druggy sound. 'Cheap and Cheerful', the more commercial second pre album single, follows. The Kills ends the set with the Patti Smith edged energy of their early classic single, 'Fried My Little Brains', which finishes the night just perfectly. A powerful and brilliant way of starting the gig going New Year.

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