Paul Banks - Sound Control, Manchester,22/1/2013

  by Dixie Ernill

published: 24 / 1 / 2013

intro

At Sound Control in Manchester Dixie Ernill watches Interpol front man Paul Banks play a brooding and abrasive set of solo material

Tonight's an all American affair as up and coming Oklahoma band the Neighborhood get things off to a fine start with an engaging dance rock fusion. The reason that Sound Control is, however, stuffed to the gills is because Interpol frontm an Paul Banks (together with an impressive backing band) is in town to promote his new long player simply entitled 'Banks'. It is not just a showcase for the new record, though as the set is opened with 'Skyscraper' and 'Fun That We Have' - both of which are lifted from earlier album 'Julian Plenti is Skyscraper'. Indeed many of the songs from 'Banks' are held back until later in the show, but the excellent 'I'll Sue You' is given chance to flex its live muscles third up. Musically, while 'Julian Plenti....' is not as immediate as 'Banks', both albums do not offer much of a deviation from the dark Joy Division blueprint favoured in the initial forays of Interpol. This is no bad thing and maybe the Editors' Tom Smith could learn a fair bit from the way Paul Banks always manages to keep a respectful line between himself and the tragic Ian Curtis. The set softens briefly with the less abrasive instrumental 'Lisbon' clearly vindicating its inclusion before the likes of 'The Base', 'Over My Shoulder' and the defiant 'Paid for That' all highlight how impressive 'Banks' is. Oldie 'Only If We Run' seems less restrained than on record and 'Summertime is Coming' proves that it is not only a perfect album closer, but also the ideal way to bring proceedings to an end. There are other songs mixed in - maybe even the odd Interpol track, but despite owning all four albums, I only really have a good working knowledge of the debut and sadly there is certainly no 'NYC'or 'Say Hello to Angels'. There is, however, time for an encore which appeases the expectant crowd. Good stuff.

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