#boningen

In an era where nothing is left to chance and bands insist on being note perfect some vitality is sometimes lost. But Scala retains the unpredictability essential to tub thumping rock n roll. People crowd and drape themselves over the  balcony the gangways as if it’s an illegal fighting den. It’s no surprise that the three acts tonight were so raw and expressive. 

First up were N’Shukurawa Boys (not strictly true, one of the trio is a girl) , who, refreshingly ,just seemed to want to have a lot of fun and in the main the audience went wuth them, although an attempt to bring the crowd into a sing along fell flat on its face as there was an unwillingness to learn Japanese. The three band members rotated instruments, lead and rhythm guitar and drums,  and took turns on climbs to the top of the speaker stacks. It wasn’t really parodic. They just seemed to enjoy the idea of being crazy rock n roll stars.  In fact “I am rock n roll!” roared one band member with his blacked out panda eyes after body surfing across the audience. “We are no professional, no need professional!” The amateurishness couldn’t disguise the fact that this was often thrilling psych punk. One song in particular had a terrific driving riff. 

Next along were Telegram whose psychedelic new wave is rich in promise. Although setting a more serious, sombre tone in skinny black jeans and pointed Chelsea boots, they weren’t without a bit of fancy dress themselves with androgynous lead guitarist donning a false moustache. Debut single single ‘Follow,’ due for release in early November ,was a highlight. Lots of energy, bouncing on their toes with vocals soaring over excellent punchy riffs, they could be going places. 

And so we waited for Bo Ningen, much heralded as the most exciting act on the live circuit. Well they certainly get you moving, in my case, to the back of the auditiorium, within ten minutes. Their appearance is indeed striking. Black hair down to the waist and two of them in dresses and plenty of throwing themselves around in wild banshee abandon under a siren of strobe lighting, and this kind of ear-splitting in-your-face more-fool-you if you want a melody, can be a quasi religious experience  and it does generate a decent mosh pit, but here it quickly turned into unending dirge and iIsoon detached myself from the devoted ritual of the pit as I had become bored. 

At the end the boys seemed to want to smash their instruments, but perhaps they can’t afford to just yet.