Saturday 20 April 2013

Comanechi UK Tour, Edinburgh to Leeds

On the 13th April Comanechi hit Edinburgh, The Voodoo Rooms
Simons familiar distorted guitar fx began wiring, owners of 'You Owe Me Nothing But Love' would appreciate the set starting with 'prelude'. With the first song up there isn't any time for the audience to acclimatise as Simon and Charlie launch in to Rabbit Hole thrashing away, Keex is dancing around the stage and howling out the lyrics. She's wearing goggles and a leatard something that seems to have become associated this this album support tour. Simon is dressed as usual in his finest jumpers and Charlie in one of his usual shirts.
Keex is in the crowd, making her own mosh pit as she dances around and bounces off surprised members of the audience, next minute she's back on stage, then she's on the dance floor on her knees, back arched howling screams. A really excellent performance from the whole band.

The next gig is in Glasgow, April 14th, this time they play with old friends Divorce. In 2010 Divorce and Comanechi shared a double headline UK tour. The venue is Nice N Sleazy. As Divorce lay into their set no ones ear drums are safe, the sheer power of noise is awesome. Vics bass skills especially kicked ass and put me to shame, think I need some serious practice before I can utter the words "sure I play bass".
Comanechi come on an launch into their set, with good friends Divorce at the front of the crowd the atmosphere was electric, photographers struggled to keep up with Keex as she pranced around, her eye make up heavy and topped off with an excess of glitter, in between songs Andy from Divorce hands Keex a bottle of "Buckfast" Scotland's 'tramp drink' she swigs it and offers some to Charlie and Simon, tonight's gig is a superb boozy glittering noise filled full frontal attack on the senses! I don't think I've seen Comanechi have so much fun with my own eyes. Saying this I've never seen them not on form. Keex's is swigging a White Russian as she takes a short break in between two songs, then she continues to hurtle through the set.

15th April draws the tour to a close, Brudenell Social Club in Leeds was the stage. I revelled in the opportunity to take photos on this night more than others as the band were set up on the floor making it easier to get the shots I wanted. Simon and Keex both stepping into the crowd trashing their guitars, Charlie hitting the drums furiously.

The set list for the tour was mostly

Rabbit Hole
Major Move
Die For
Crime Of Love
He Hit Me
Close Enough To Kiss
Patsy
Love Is The Cure
Mesmerising Fingers
Death Threat

Death Of You.

It was great to see the band taking full advantage if their new member Charlie whose drums are something to be reckoned with, Simon as always commands an infinite force of noise with his guitar work. Keex is like a torrent or a huge wave crashing, she's at the mic one minute the next she's on the floor, another she's at the back of the room, then back on stage at the mic again. Keex picks up guitar for half of the set, adding to the sound without taking away from the energy of Comanechi's noise!





























Friday 12 April 2013

1 Bag 3 Cities

COMANECHI UK TOUR


So tonight I'm packing my bag for Edinburgh, setting off tomorrow morning to see Comanechi on the 3rd date of their 2013 UK tour supporting the release of their 2nd album 'You Owe Me Nothing But Love' which was released on 14th February 2013 Valentines Day. The band have already been touring with the album in Japan in February. The album is excellent and a must for fans of the band. 

I first saw them live back in Manchester @ The Tiger Lounge in September 2010, I was already a big fan of theirs but had never seen them live, they did not disappoint! It was a gig to support their then new split single with Divorce on Metrok Records. I remember that there wasn't a stage as such but rather a corner in the bar with a rug down which formed the stage, after way too much Guinness in the opening set by Divorce I ran to the front to rock out to Comanechi, at one point yelping Death Of You down the microphone which keex thrust in my face ha ha, I think she probably noticed I was a diehard fan by the disastrous combination of dancing and singing I was doing (much to my then girlfriends amusment and probably embarrassment). 

After the Manchester experience left a lasting impression on me I travelled to Liverpool in February 2012 to see them support The Drums at the O2 Academy, taking with me a hand drawn 'Revenge Of My Pussy' T-Shirt which I gave to Keex's upon her request ha ha. I was then hooked, after hearing new songs and old favourites I had to see more. 

I headed London bound for the Major Move single release gig at The Lexington in July 2012.
I got there early and again managed to drink rather a lot however I was thankful for my being on time as I caught 'Skinny Girl Diet''s rip roaring set to which I was mesmerised (this is the excuse I am going to use for my strange dancing/rocking out whilst photographing the band) I later purchased their demo and was blown away, still a hardcore Skinny Girl Diet fan today I am heading down to London next week to see them play along side Art TripAnd The Static Sound. Comanechi again were amazing and with the addition of their new drummer Charlie they really had a chance to shine, keex again took up some guitar parts when she wasn't prancing around the stage and invading the crowd, Simons guitar tore through the venue distorted screams and thrashing chords!

And so tomorrow I embark on a trip, Edinburgh first to see Comanechi play at The Voodoo Rooms, then Glasgow to see them play once again with Divorce at Nice N Sleazy, then finally in Leeds at The Brudenell Social Club.