at The Hindley Arms
called 'Jump The Shark'!
I caught a 30 min set of these guys at the SMART festival in August last year and have been keen to see the full set since, So as Andy the bass player lives within 2 miles of me in Sale, I decided to watch them about 20 miles away! (Well, Th'Indley Arms IS my local!)
I'm getting more and more into rock acts with female frontpersons (triggered in no small part by Gypsy and Fifth Element) and JTS didn't fail to uphold that trend.
Now don't get me wrong; I am not going to wax lyrical about them being the best band ever and everything being perfect, 'cos it wasn't, but that doesn't always matter.
So bearing in mind that it was their first time at THA and they had a new PA system and there were several dodgy persons sitting right in front of them, Col on vocals, Dave on geetar, Deano on drums and Andy on bass launched into a set that was surprisingly varied and with few of the 'usual suspects' (although 'Born To Be MIld' did rear it's ugly head).
After a slightly hesitant start, Col soon found her balls (?) and once she relaxed a little turned in a great performance.
Deano had apparently torn a ligament playing badminton (how very rock and roll!), but still mangaged to keep a strong beat behind them all on his scaffolding.
Dave is a great all rounder, playing rhythm and lead with feel and precision (and nice geetars aswell).
Andy is actually a far better bass player than he thinks (but don't tell him) and is a 'finger' rather than 'pleck' player.
The sound to start with was a little weak - you need to emphasise the bass when you only have one gitbox, but after a couple of tunes it was more or less there.
Highlights of the night for me were the songs that the guys obviously really enjoyed: 'Dead or Alive', 'Mountains' (Biffy Clyro), 'Cold Hard Bitch (Jet) a really left field 'The Fixer' (Pearl Jam) and a surprisingly polished version of 'Poison' (Alice Cooper). They are also one of only two bands I know who do 'Weak' by Skunk Anansie.
All the lads in the band sing backing to a greater or lesser degree, which led to some excellent 3 part harmonies.
This was only their 8th (?) gig I think and not all of them have been in and out of bands like the rest of us for donkeys years and that showed in the hesitancy between songs, the slight lack of confidence in actually being infront of an audience and the fact that they obviously haven't 'relaxed' into their songs yet, but that is all stuff that only only time and getting out there will put right.
The were also some songs that I personally didn't think either sat well in the set or particularly suited the band. Both 'Sun Goes Down' and 'Dancefloor' by The Arctic Monkeys were out of place for me and 'Girl All The Bad Guys Want' by Bowling for soup was too poppy for my taste.
Also 'The Fixer' by Pearl Jam (although performed excellently) would probably have been better repalced by a more well known one like 'Jeremy' or 'Black'.
All that apart, a really enjoyable performance by a very passionate band. With few tweeks here and there and some more gig time under their belts, JTS will certainly be a band to be counted in the 'must see'.
Just a brief nod to the supporting cast: Heather and Tex, Don and Ness, Greg TLD, IainRkid and the 'Dave' half of Double D Enterprises (unfortunately Dee couldn't get away - missed ya hun!)
Might be some pics to follow if anyone can be arsed.
Love to all
Alyerpal
*************************** DISCLAIMER **********************
No sharks or other sea life were hurt in the typing of this blog and Tex didn't even get to murder a seafood pizza 'cos the Sheriff wanted to get home (well it was a skool night). Cliques can go up as well as down and your clique maybe at risk if you do not keep up with each other. Brown nosing is strictly voluntary and not to be sniffed at . Alyerpal's management reserves the right to blow smoke anywhere it pleases and takes no responsibility for spillage of any kind be it half a mild or the the full idjut.
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