Mermaid’s Flannel

Analog Bombs Go Bang on a Friday Night in Clayton More

Live Review Mermaid's Flannel

Written By Michael Wood Saturday, July 18th, 2009

Black Feathered Feet, Analog Bombs and Young Loves. Mermaid's Flannel at Fiddler's Three, Bradford

"Its rocking on The Fiddlers on a Friday night" the singer shouts.

Black Feathered Feet are pub rock pure n' simple and very simple they are too wailing between verses and noodling on guitars. It is rough and ready rock but that is no bad thing on a Friday night in a suburban pub a stones throw from the suburban house this writer grew up in Clayton - a typical suburb of Bradford.

The criterion for gigs in walking distance aside Black Feathered Feet do growling Chris Cornell style rock decently and are worth your attention if that is your bag. If it isn't your bag then take a look just to see how much the drummer looks like the one from Lost who was also a Hobbit.

Not at all like a Hobbit is Ben of Analog Bombs. Standing at least seven foot tall - perhaps - he is as striking as he is charming fronting the band with a warm, rambling presence. "Good evening we're the Analog Bombs", he says "We've had a drink."

Analog Bombs mix musical styles but are mostly indie ska - if such a genre exists, perhaps they just look indie and play ska - and are a a blast. Ben's lyrics are based in being a local of Bradford - in parts at least - and at times can be touching and have a ring of truth. His delivery is rare and enjoyable. He rapidly fires Yorkshireisms spinning the odd tale of being unlucky in love around the Wool City.

Charming, enjoyable, and probably the best band you will see on a Friday night in Clayton. Hancock - the song about long flattened club Tumblers - is worth the admission alone. It is indie disco as tragic love affair and nudges the Analog Bombs past The Pigeon Detectives Test as in "Why is one more popular than the other?"

Young Loves

Young Loves

Young Loves come on with an "hilarious" joke about knife crime and an opening number that sounds a bit too The Libertines for its own good.

As a band they are well regarded and five minutes into their set the five yards in front of the pub corner dubbed a stage is peopled with young things dancing but something about the band seems as like it has been seen before.

Perhaps it is the contrast to the innovate Analog Bombs or perhaps it is the fact that Young Loves come behind the likes of White Light Parade and The Swing Movement in Bradford's canon of bands making this kind of sound. Indeed they lack the drive of the former and the spark of the latter.

The kids love them though and they finish the night well.

The night - Mermaid's Flannel Presents - deserves applause too for the attempt to put on good music for the drinking crowd. More power to them.

    • Illinoise by Sufjan Stevens
    • It's a Shame About Ray by The Lemonheads
    • Born To Die by Lana Del Rey
    • With Strings: Live at Town Hall by Eels
    • (I Can't Get No) by Stevie Jackson
    • Down the River of Golden Dreams by Okkervil River
    • The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
    • Talking With The Taxman About Poetry by Billy Bragg
    • Black Sheep Boy by Okkervil River
    • Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like A Peasant by Belle and Sebastian
    • If You're Feeling Sinister by Belle and Sebastian
    • I Was the King, I Really Was the King by Animals That Swim
    • Welcome To Condale by Summer Camp
    • Wolves and Thieves by Goldheart Assembly
    • Flight of the Conchords by Flight of the Conchords
    • A Certain Trigger by Maxïmo Park
    • The Futureheads by The Futureheads
    • Little Death by Pete and the Pirates
    • Forty Licks Disc 1 by The Rolling Stones
    • Nests by She Keeps Bees
    • A Creature I Don't Know by Laura Marling
    • La Roux by La Roux
    • Torches by Foster The People
    • Lanzafame by Tap Tap
    • News And Tributes by The Futureheads
    • It's Blitz! by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
    • On My Way by Tap Tap
    • Write About Love by Belle and Sebastian
    • The Holy Bible by Manic Street Preachers
    • America Give Up by Howler
    • Paranoid by Black Sabbath
    • Old Ideas by Leonard Cohen
    • Journal For Plague Lovers by Manic Street Preachers
    • The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
    • GENERATION TERRORISTS by Manic Street Preachers
    • This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours by Manic Street Preachers
    • The Clash by The Clash
    • Bluffer's guide to the flight deck by Flotation Toy Warning
    • Neon Bible by Arcade Fire
    • Funeral by Arcade Fire
    • National Treasures - The Complete Singles by Manic Street Preachers
    • Chairs Missing by Wire
    • Broken Social Scene by Broken Social Scene
    • All Things Must Pass (30th Anniversary Edition) by George Harrison
    • Tapestry by Carole King
    • Drive (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Cliff Martinez
    • Valerie and friends by Various Artists
    • Bringing It All Back Home by Bob Dylan
    • American V by Johnny Cash
    • Low by David Bowie
    • American III: Solitary Man by Johnny Cash
    • Let's Dance by David Bowie
    • Hunky Dory by David Bowie
    • Exile On Main Street by The Rolling Stones
    • King Of The Delta Blues by Robert Johnson
    • Slow Dazzle by John Cale
    • 936 by Peaking Lights
    • Plume by Loscil