The Clerks,
Modernaire,
3 Ages of Elvis,
One Chip Potato and the Transcendental Water Musicians
+ Kr!ss Foster

LAWM Xmas Weekender: Yellow Shoes Night
The Yorkshire House, Lancaster
8 December 2006

After a day of panicking, I scraped together enough spare change to take the bus into Lancaster to go to one of the most exciting live music nights around at the Yorkshire House; Little Argument With Myself (LAWM). For those that
don’t know about this night I’d recommend checking out their website (www.lawm.co.uk) or fork out the three or four quid entrance fee because it’s definitely worth seeing at least once if not on a regular basis. The night’s run by Richard (of ex-feedback fame) who, as well as having a delightfully exciting and eclectic taste in music is also a rather nice chap.

On this night in particular though, it was “yellow shoes night”, offering the crowd chances to win prizes on reception of the best yellow shoes in the room. And true to Lancaster spirit, there were some very yellow shoes in the room that night.

The first act Kr!ss Foster, not one to miss out on the action, had spray painted his only pair of trainers yellow (but was too shy to get up on stage later to try and win something for his efforts), but as if this wasn’t enough he had specially written a song for the night entitled “my yellow shoes” which caused a giggle or two on the night. Kr!ss Foster's ramshackle quirky set as usual cheered everybody in the room up and he left to well deserved applause.

Secondly; and I know I seem like a broken record since last month's review but it’s coincidence I assure you; One Chip Potato and the Transcendental Water Musicians minus Steve Morgan (who drunkenly confessed to me a few days later that he didn’t go to practice) who was replaced with a strange but excellently dressed leopard-like animal on guitar.

One Chip, as always, were great… the songs were tight, coherent, catchy enough to whistle on your way home without realizing it and with the added stage dramatics of front man Mike Kenney simultaneously Russian dancing whilst playing the kazoo and fiddle (men can’t multitask? Bollocks!) the show really was a sight to behold. To give a description of what One Chip Potato sound like; think the most beautiful folk you could imagine, then unleash absolute chaos in the form of electronica, pirates and disco.
Awesome.

3 Ages Of Elvis up next… I’ll be honest: the first few songs I really got into, they had the works; energetic stage presence, catchy old-school guitar laden riffs and a generally tight accessible set. But maybe it was all the festivities draining my soul or something but by the end of the set I was a little fed up of it all… the songs, whilst of a decent
quality, didn’t really offer much in the long run and soon became somewhat repetitive and frustrating to listen to… bring on Modernaire!

And they did… the third act of tonight, who have been touring with my personal favourite band of all time ever in the existence of music, The Hot Puppies, were Modernaire who despite their evident Indie boy-girl appearance provided non stop flawless disco beats akin to Goldfrapp with soothing vocals, a little like Imogen Heap which got everyone in the room dancing, even one or two people singing along to their hit “Fait Tes Jeux”. My personal highlight of the set was Terry Part 2, a follow up the Hot Puppies single Terry which, following the original song in its guitar hook (played on keyboard) was spectacular disco-indie-pop fusion at its best. The only downside to their set was somewhat of a lack of stage presence from the members on stage, but still.. worked for the Pet Shop Boys eh?

The last act of the night, The Clerks - over from France… I missed due to having to get the last bus back, but I’m assured by people that they were stunning and if they should happen to return to Lancaster I will most certainly be there with bells on.

That’s all from me! Hope y’all have/ had a merry Christmas and a happy New Year… if you haven’t been saturated by yet you’re just plain miserable. Or try another festive treat from indie label Filthy Little Angels with their album “Hark, the Filthy Angels Sing!”, a christmas compilation featuring the likes of Hefner, The Vichy Government, The Rocks, IK+ and more! (available online from www.filthylittleangel.com) or download last years album "Have Yourself a Filthy Little Christmas” for some alternative Christmas antics.

Joseph Beech
14/12/06

Next LAWM night advertised is Friday 2 February 2007 at the Yorkshire House, Lancaster, featuring: Fraction (Manchester) + Paul the Girl (London) + Obviously Four Believers (Lancaster),

See www.lawm.co.uk for more dates and info.