r[pm] Presents

The Sensational My First Tooth More

Live Review r[pm] Presents

Written By Michael Wood Sunday, April 5th, 2009

My First Tooth r[pm] Presents at The PM Bar, Shipley, Bradford

My First Tooth, Live at The PM Bar in Shipley

The problem with West Yorkshire's second City - Bradford - is that one can not hear the sound of anything happen for the volume of those who tell you that nothing is happening and the sight of Northampton folk-popsters My First Tooth playing to so few people so very well is as good an indication of this situation as any.

Augmented from the two of Russ Witt and Sophie Galpin - who is once more wearing the I Put The Rad In Bradford shirt - My First Tooth now number five having added a drummer, a bass and a second guitar to add to the lead acoustic. The sound is rich and textured shaped by Russ's deliberate delivery and Sophie's violin.

They start with Margaret Yen which is as catchy a slice of pop as one could hope to hear before a runaround that sees the band swap instruments and a second violin lilting through a set of songs that are both original and bright yet seem older and as familiar as something pulled off the better parts of your family vinyl collection.

Sleet and Snow is their signature tune - their White Winter Hymnal - and the encore is called for by the smattering of people and enjoyed.

The smattering of people. A problem with the City, a problem with the scene, a problem with a music industry that has bred a consumer of product rather than appreciators. Without the sensationalism of bands who become trumpeted as next big things (sometimes justifiably) wonderfully textured and real acts like My First Tooth have to survive on scraps when they should be feasting.

    • Illinoise by Sufjan Stevens
    • It's a Shame About Ray by The Lemonheads
    • With Strings: Live at Town Hall by Eels
    • Born To Die by Lana Del Rey
    • (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