Whip - Trash, Leeds, 13/11/2008
by Russell Ferguson
published: 24 / 11 / 2008

intro
Despite Mancurian electronic group the Whip's debut album, 'X Marks the Destination', being one of the better albums of the year, Russell Ferguson finds them soon running out of steam at a gig at the Leeds Trash
There hasn’t been many decent CDs this year but one of the better ones for me was the Whip's debut, 'X Marks the Destination', an indie album that leans towards the late 80’s sound. Think New Order at twice the speed and doing dance versions of their songs and you have kind of got it. As a result I was geared up for a decent gig at the Cockpit in Leeds and I was ready for anything that the Whip might throw at me. By the time they came on stage they were running a little late. Maybe, however, that was part of a plan to get the crowd excited and eager with anticipation. Who knows for sure ? With the usual flash of a torch to the sound desk from the roadie and the dimming of the light (do they do that just so that the band can trip over in the dark ? Or are the roadies checking to see how many carrots musicians eat ? I still wonder the real reason), they finally, however, appeared on stage. The Whip picked up their instruments with a swagger that would not have been out of place in a western. They didn’t just start this gig. They launched into it with more conviction than a religious convert. The first thing that struck me was the power of Nathan's Sudders bass, which kept both the whole sound and the band together. With Fiona Daniel on drums the rhythm section in this band is rock solid. They didn’t hold back. They just let loose with all their energy and talent in one big rush that the crowd found irrestably infectious. It took just half a song for the mosh pit to get going. By the time they played their second song, the single 'Sister Siam', it was like a party had been going for half the night. It was almost as if we weren’t allowed to take a breath, but forced to keep at their pace and a break neck speed at that. 'Sister Siam' is without doubt one of the better songs on the album and one which vocalist Bruce Carter, who shared guitar duties with keyboardist Danny Saville, obviously took great pleasure in singing. Just when we were all thinking great what is next and what else can they throw at us, they rolled into 'Sirens' and then 'Throw It on the Fire'. Both are slow plodding songs and it really put a dampener on things. From this pointon the gig went into a slower mode and many of the songs came across as being much longer than the album versions. It sounded very much like they had played the same song twice, the first half of each number being the song and the second half being an instrumental of the song and then they had stuck it together. All it succeeded in doing was dragging out the song. The audience got a little fed up with it too, and even the mosh crowd started to stand and watch rather than get involved. For a small band the Whip had an amazing light show. They did not have mountains of equipment but what they had they used in a clever, intelligent and imaginative way. It certainly added to the effect of party and gave a Madchester edge to it, which is the way the gig sounded at times, especially with the long winded ending to the songs. By the time they had got half way into the set I had lost interest and even when they played more up tempo songs like 'Blackout' and 'Muzzel#1' it failed to grab me at all. I left feeling disappointed and let down. Even the encore in which they played the highly infectious 'Trash' saw me at the back of the venue and eager to make a quick get away which is a damning testament to any band. The Whip started this gig with breathtaking beauty. You could almost see the energy go over your head from the stage, but after three or so songs it just got long winded and boring. It really was a shame given the great start to the gig. The fact that they seem to be doing extended versions of their songs came to me across as selfish and self-indulgent. They came over much more as a dance act and for me that is a great shame as their debut album suggests they are much more of an indie act. Their album was one of the better ones of 2008 but the gig was nowhere as good as the record. Do yourself a favour ! Buy the album, sit in your living room and flash a light on and off. I wish I had done.
Picture Gallery:-

reviews |
Song Song (2001) |
This is Whip’s first full-length release after some singles and EPS. At only 25 minutes long it barely feels like a full release at all, which is a shame because some of the music it presents is promi |
most viewed articles
current edition
Spear Of Destiny - InterviewRobert Forster - Interview
Fiona Hutchings - Interview
When Rivers Meet - Waterfront, Norwich, 29/5/2025
Carl Ewens - David Bowie 1964 to 1982 On Track: Every Album, Every Song
Chris Wade - Interview
Brian Wilson - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Pistol Daisys - Waterfront, Norwich, 29/5/2025
Credits - ARC, Liverpool, 17/5.2025
Nils Petter Molvaer - El Molino, Barcelona, 24/4/2025
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPBarrie Barlow - Interview
Boomtown Rats - Ten Songs That Made Me Love....
Oasis - Oasis, Earl's Court, London, 1995
Dwina Gibb - Interview
Beautiful South - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Sound - Interview with Bi Marshall Part 1
Manic Street Preachers - (Gig of a Lifetime) Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, December 1999
Trudie Myerscough-Harris - Interview
Serge Gainsbourg - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
most viewed reviews
current edition
Peter Doolan - I Am a Tree Rooted to the Spot and a Snake Moves Around Me,in a CircleGarbage - Let All That We Imagine Be The Light
Vinny Peculiar - Things Too Long Left Unsaid
Little Simz - Lotus
John McKay - Sixes and #Sevens
Suzanne Vega - Flying With Angels
HAIM - I Quit
Vultures - Liz Kershaw Session 16.06.88
Billy Nomates - Metalhorse
Eddie Chacon - Lay Low
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