Cave Singers - Cargo, London, 20/11/2009
by Chris O'Toole
published: 1 / 12 / 2009
intro
On the last night of a British tour, Chris o' Toole finds whisky-stained country rockers, the Cave Singers, in celebratory mood at a show at the Cargo in London
Oh, the last night of the tour – the revelry, the camaraderie, and the celebration of all that was and is soon to be lost. That final night, a gathering storm of expectation, commemoration and salutation. Old friends and new love, come to rejoice with a band at the end of a long, long road. And so it was for the Cave Singers at London’s ULU in darkest November, 2009. Supported by achingly-hip Woods and the modest Espers on this, the third incarnation of the Shred Yr Face tour – which last year brought Fucked Up to these shores – Cave Singers play to their faithful. With two albums now behind them the group has grown from the shadow of its former incarnation (the briefly celebrated Pretty Girls Make Graves) and is now a promising live spectacle in its own right. Playing as a trio - with singer-songwriter Pete Quirk joined by Derek Fudesco on bass and Marty Lund on drums – the group offer rousing interpretations of their Americana tinged country rock; they are all whisky stained, twilight brawlers, unapologetically sentimental and wry. Although this is not one of London’s most flattering venues – with poor lighting, often disinterested club crowds and distant bars – there is an immediate, cheering of the mood when the group take the stage. Espers had lulled the half-capacity crowd – perhaps something to do with the £17.50 cost of tickets – into a false sense of calm, but this is quickly reversed. Tonight’s is a democratic performance, with the star-quality of Quirk’s vocals allowed to shine alongside the delicate but persistent finger picking of Fudesco on guitar and Lund’s expressive drumming. Choices from 'Invitation Songs' and the more recent 'Welcome Joy' are played in equal measure, with the older material receiving a more positive reception. The Cave Singers almost irresistibly invite foot-stomping jams with their more upbeat material, and as 'Seeds of the Night' and 'Royal Lawns' and thrown to the crowd the spectacle reaches its high. 'New Moments' – a fans’ favourite from the debut album – sees Brad Cohen, lead singer of Woods (inexplicably dressed as Bat Man) join the group on stage, before the whole group return to the stage for a rousing, tambourine drive finale. It certainly was a night for celebration, and despite the modest numbers the Cave Singers delivered.
Picture Gallery:-
live reviews |
Cargo, London, 14/8/2008 |
The Cave Singers is the new project of hardcore act Pretty Girls Make Graves' front man, Derek Fudesco. At the Cargo in London Chris O' Toole finds their pastoral and off-kilter blend of folk rock both riveting and compelling |
reviews |
Welcome Joy (2009) |
Endearing combination of pyschedelic folk, country and roots rock on second album from Seattle-based band, the Cave Singers |
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
Chris Hludzik - Vinyl Stories
Pete Berwick - ‘Too Wild to Tame’: The story of the Boyzz:
previous editions
Microdisney - The Clock Comes Down the StairsWorld Party - Interview
World Party - Interview with Karl Wallinger
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EP
Ain't That Always The Way - Alan Horne After The Sound of Young Scotland 2
Steve Harley - Interview
Dwina Gibb - Interview
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Ruts - Life After Death ? : A Profile
Leprous - Photoscapes
most viewed reviews
current edition
Serious Sam Barrett - A Drop of the Morning DewMarika Hackman - Big Sigh
Rod Stewart and Jools Holland - Swing Fever
Loves - True Love: The Most of The Loves
Ian M Bailey - We Live in Strange Times
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