That Fucking Tank - The Awesome Magnet

by Chris O'Toole

published: 8 / 12 / 2007

Label: On the Bone
Format: 7"

Painfully raw but powerful new single from superior Leeds-based hardcore trio That Fucking Tank

Review

Leeds is likely to be one of those towns – akin to Brighton, Bristol and Nottingham – where the locals champion the domestic scene as superior to everywhere else in the world. And it seems they have some right to as well. Each day new treasures are unearthed, with the latest being a three piece drums and bass outfit called That Fucking Tank. Originally formed as a joke for a one-off gig, the original duo comprises of Andy Abbott, playing a baritone guitar through a bass amp, and James Islip on a minimalist drum kit. For this new recording they are joined Giles Bailey on vocals for the first time. Their work is caustic, nihilistic noise – DC hardcore for the discerning, drunken gentleman. In a similar vein to Fugazi or any of their countless imitators, there are also flourishes of such luminaries as Mclusky and Smoke and Smoke – themselves an amalgamation of Murder City Devils and GodHeadSilo. The Awesome Magnet is a wash of (just barely) danceable grooves – likely to leave the protagonist paralysed - and jazz style time signatures, amplified, distorted and scatter gunned into the crowd. It is also painfully raw, with a DIY ethos throughout – sounding as though it had been recorded on one microphone in the next room, and all the better for it. Lurching along That Fucking Tank veer between exquisite math-rock, free improve and all the wheels coming off a white van on the motorway at 110mph. A great band with a totally disrespectful oeuvre waiting to be discovered.