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'My Corduroyed Life' - Mark A's Journal
Yeah, I know the review is nearly two weeks late, but I can do that you see as it's MY blog...
Call me obsessed with this band if you will, but I'll be the one who can say that he went to their first ever gig when they're headlining (or as I put it on their discussion boards - headlounging) Glastonbury and make it in America...
Have fun,
M
Naked Lounge @ Roadhouse - 04/06/04
First thing that strikes me about Naked Lounge is that they're not a bunch of wasters with unrealistic expectations and their heads in the clouds. Sure, they're confident and proud of their music, but they're also that little bit more aware and understand that they may well not be successful, but want to play anyway. They lack the 'we're going to make it' arrogance that a number of (usually decidedly average) local bands irritate audiences with when they display it for all to see (you know the sort - you sneer at their obnoxious onstage behaviour, and then notice that half the audience are doing the same). Naked Lounge are 20 somethings with decent, and probably well paid, 'real life' jobs that they will keep until they actually make money from their music - you can see it in their haircuts. What it does allow them to do is to genuinely show that they enjoy making music, and that they have real talent, but that they are also realistic and down to earth people.
What can be said about Naked Lounge? Their website has a huge section of quotes from positive reviews, and to my knowledge, they haven't actually had a bad review yet! Certainly not from me!
The venue was the Roadhouse: a small venue infamous for giving new bands gigs, who then make it big. Coldplay and Travis played there in the late 90s for example. It's delightful black on black with a smattering of red decor suited Naked Lounge's vibe down to a tee. A maybe half capacity crowd of people attended the gig which doesn't sound all that impressive, but it isn't half bad when you consider than only around ten percent of the people there were friends of the band.
It was a great gig, not their greatest, but a still a great gig. Nick is a fantastic drummer and as usual excelled himself, but the Roadhouse aint the place for drummers inasmuch as you can never bloody see them as the stage is so small. Paul is just so Mr Smooth on stage - I don't think I've ever seen him play a wrong note. Charlie rocks the base, and he thinks no one sees when he winks affectionately to his girlfriend every single gig, bless him. And Josh, well, that voice, I've never heard anything like it, and when he does his 'this is the instrumental bit so I'm going to nod my head and do the evil eyes thing', I 'd not mess! Their garb was fine, but I'm a sucker for a gimmick - I thought the whole band in red T-shirts with Josh in a shirt and red tie image they did at Life Bar a while back was definitely their best 'look' so far.
The band were generous enough to be furnish me with a set list prior to the gig, but to my frustration I lost it. I am rubbish. As is, I'll have to go by memory. They opened with 'Perfect As You Are', a familiar track as it is on their second promo CD, and it was a belting performance of a fantastic song. This was followed by my personal favourite, 'Nugget', and although I've seen them perform the song better it was still great. They've cut out a few of my old favourites, so I didn't get to hear 'What's The Matter' and due to time constraints they cut a new song they were going to pay called 'And?' which is a shame (and I look forward to them playing it at their next gig). 'Threat' was another anthem, and I was particularly impressed by the song that, to my shame, I cannot remember the name of: Josh's vocals took on a fantastic staccato that really suited his voice. 'Lying Is So Easy' took the role of ballad of the set despite the fact it's still definitely very rock, and once again Josh proved the versatility of his vocals by singing his heart out.
They finished with a new song (again, I've forgotten the name, damnit) which was a brave move, and as evil as I feel saying it, it didn't work. It was a good song, but not a great one. It was definitely a weaker track than both 'Nugget' and 'In The Middle' which they'd performed earlier. Don't get me wrong, I liked it, but I didn't love it. When they came off stage and asked me what I thought of it, I felt like a right git telling them the truth. However, it didn't ruin the set as it was still a good song.
All in all, a solid, rocking set by a solid, rocking band who I think are destined to go far. I believe they're releasing a new demo CD soon - expect a review when I get it.
Naked Lounge's next gig is 26th June at Dry Bar in Manchester
Naked Lounge Website: http://www.naked-lounge.co.uk
Current mood:
good.Current music: Lying Is So Easy by Naked Lounge.