REVIEW OF WET NUNS/CATCHER - ROXY 171, GLASGOW - SATURDAY 3 MARCH 2012
Aldo writes............
I met up with JC at Buchanan Street Bus Station, both having been to watch our respective football teams that afternoon. JC emerged beaming, his side having recorded a rare high scoring victory, mine's hadn't fared so well, but by the end of the evening I was to be found grinning from ear to ear as well having witnessed this week's gig.
Tonight's event first caught my eye due to recognising the name of the support band, Catcher, who's lead singer Mike I had met at a mutual friends stag do and wedding last year, and I vowed to try and see them live at some point. The headline act, Wet Nuns, I knew nothing of, apart from reading pre-gig that the NME had chosen the band as one of their Ones to Watch for 2012.
The gig had been due to take place in the Berkeley Suite (where JC had seen his beloved Butcher Boy a couple of weeks back), however, it was moved at the last minute to the Roxy 171 in Glasgow's west end. Previously an upmarket boozer, the new owners had opened up the basement to serve as a venue/function suite, so this was yet another new venue for the Vinyl Villain and myself.
We headed to the venue fairly sharp, aware that Catcher were due on around 7.45, and had a quick drink upstairs before descending down to the cellar where, behind the velvet curtain, we were faced with a space not much bigger than JC's kitchen. I spotted Mike at the bar and went up to say hello, and to introduce JC, shortly before Catcher took the stage.
I should point out, that the crowd at this point was barely into double figures, and a fair percentage of those appeared to know members of the band. Knowing Mike's musical tastes I was perhaps expecting them to be more punky/new wave, but I felt it was more straightforward rock, with a few influences creeping in here and there. Catcher's half hour slot went by enjoyably, and as we'd witnessed already this year, these were guys who were talented musicians, who clearly just enjoy getting together to play live music.
Mike said his goodbyes, and headed of to see The Stranglers who were playing elsewhere in town, but not before flogging me a couple of Catcher albums to allow me to acquaint myself with their sound at my leisure.....oh and it is worth mentioning that Catcher have, over the years, made a record 41 appearances at King Tut's.....
Over a beer in between the bands JC made a good point - namely that in a paralel universe a band like Catcher would be playing stadiums, and certain stadium rock acts would be playing to ten folk in the basement of a Glasgow pub.
And then Wet Nuns.....
A two-piece outfit, one drummer, one guitarist and one hell of a glorious racket. The first indication of the aural assault to follow was when the thundering guitar chords during tune-up reverberated through to the toilets next door. The next half hour was just phenomenal, only broken up halfway through by the need to replace broken guitar strings. Rarely can I recall watching a band having quite so much fun, and the exchanges with the small but appreciative audience gave the venue a great atmosphere.
JC's comparison of it being like hearing a two-piece Nirvana was on the money.
Both of us were in agreement that, Twilight Sad aside, this so far had been the most genuinely exciting moment of the year. I definitely hope to catch them again soon, and am sure that the next time they return to Glasgow the crowd will number slightly more than this evening's attendance. It just goes to show that the NME still gets it right on occasion.
The night ended brilliantly in that with it being such a small venue and turn-out, it was really easy to talk to the band afterwards and so we bought them a couple of lagers and had a good blether for about 15 minutes. Then it was off next door to the Captain's Rest for more alcohol and put in motion the plans for week 10 and beyond.
Here's the remainder of the band's tour. Well worth catching:-
09th Mar – LIVERPOOL – Shipping Forecast
10th Mar – HULL – Fruit
16th Mar – MILTON KEYNES – Sno! Bar
17th Mar – BEDFORD – Esquires
21st Mar – BRISTOL – Start The Bus
22nd Mar – BATH – Moles
23rd Mar – TRURO – Bunters
24th Mar – ALDERSHOT – West End Centre
27th Mar – YORK – Fibbers
29th Mar – LONDON – Blues Kitchen
Aldo and JC, Friday 9 March 2012
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