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Lightning Bolt

Wolf Eyes

At Camden Electric Ballroom, Camden

5857
Lineup: Lightning Bolt, Wolf Eyes
Date: 07/12/2004
Venue: Camden Electric Ballroom, Camden
by Mike Diver

It feels like a war inside my head, played out by tiny insects with Gatling guns and mortars. They’re digging deeper, trenches criss-crossing minefields and ploughing through once-fertile land. It’s so inhuman, so… so…

“No it’s not. It’s not inhuman at all. I quite like it.”

I love my girlfriend, but sometimes… She’s right, though: Wolf Eyes aren’t inhuman at all. The noise they create – and it is noise – might sound like metal scraping metal in the fiery depths of Hell, but it’s as mortal as we are. To prove it, there are three guys – as flesh and blood as you or I – on stage, scraping metal against metal and pressing buttons that are almost certainly red and marked ‘Do Not Touch – Danger Of Death’.

At least one of my senses dies when the button’s stomped like an empty beer can. Was that Death or Deaf?

Thankfully, it mumbles back to life in time for Lightning Bolt, only to be utterly eradicated all over again. Really, forgetting to pick up earplugs from Boots on the way here was stupid, as the dynamic duo rip through a trademark set of earbleeders. Sure, they’re dumb as a pig rolling in shit, but the punters surrounding them – on the floor, of course – are as happy as a pen-full of the buggers. Hands are waving articles of clothing that I can’t make out; bodies are cramped like some sick game of sardines. For the placid, there’s a handy projection showing exactly what’s going on down front. Like you need me to tell you, it’s rock and roll, maaaan.

They play ‘Assassins’. Kids go crazy. I lose myself in the music. Rather, I lose part of myself.

I don’t hear the bus, at all, all the way home. Just the insects and their endless war...

...and my girlfriend, telling me she was right.

  • Lightning Bolt 8 / 10
  • Wolf Eyes 8 / 10

Comments (21)

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  • Lightning Bolt

    It was such a great gig. Wolf Eyes and Lightning Bolt were mind blowing. Wasn't so sure about Jackie O though. Bit too much meandering for my taste.

    See some photos here: http://www.eporecords.com
    jake_furious | 8 Dec '04, 14:41 | Reply | X

  • Lightning Bolt

    I'm fuckin gutted i missed this gig.
    thats all i have to write.
    Haroldos | 8 Dec '04, 15:27 | Reply | X

  • Lightning Bolt

    Yes. I'm angry about this. Not being the most observant of fellows I didn't know this was going on until it was sold out. Shit. *cries*

    And one of the guys at work went. Double gutted.
    dis-integration | 8 Dec '04, 18:32 | Reply | X

  • Lightning Bolt

    lightning bolt = best rock band in the world.
    anybody care to argue?
    _adam_ | 8 Dec '04, 20:33 | Reply | X

  • Re: Lightning Bolt

    Never heard of them. Convince me and I'll download them and post a review.
    Niks @_adam_ | 8 Dec '04, 20:40 | Reply | X

  • Lightning Bolt

    Only 4 stars? This gig was lengendary.It deserves 6 stars. I have seen so many dull shows in the souless camden venue The Electric BAllroom but lightning bolt tore the place apart. The kids standing on the stage, the atmosphere. It had the excitement of a playground fight. Lightning Bolt are not 'dumb as a pig rolling in shit' (that may apply to Rammstein, more accurately. They are the most exciting forward cutting edge rock band in the world today. Unlike the recycled retro crap champion by the NME as the "new rock revolution" (hives, vines blah blah) - they are the New Rock revolution. They will spawn bands of lesser imitators. Check out their record label too LOAD - probably the most exciting indie rock label in the world. NOW: www.loadrecords.com
    WOLF EYES WERE AMAZING TOO - LIKE THE LOVE CHILD OF MERZBOW AND THE LOCUST. ACE.
    Hamja | 8 Dec '04, 22:11 | Reply | X

  • Re: Lightning Bolt

    yes. they're fun, but overrated. wolf eyes are super awesome though.
    something_enigmatic @_adam_ | 8 Dec '04, 22:57 | Reply | X

  • Re: Lightning Bolt

    You're saying playing drums really fast and a bass really loud isn't dumb, musically/creatively speaking?

    It's retarded!

    Great fun though. I love LB, although I'd never go so far as to say they're up with my favourites. They make me dance and shout and twist and pogo and drink lots and lots of beer and jump off ledges and kiss strangers... that much is true. But it's pure adrenalin fun, y'know? Little of substance.

    Wolf Eyes, though... fuck me.
    Mike_Diver @Hamja | 9 Dec '04, 10:18 | Reply | X

  • Lightning Bolt

    So are like Death From Above 1979 like retarded too then? Or is that like totaly different. 'cause I'm fully afraid my musical taste's integrity is, like, totally in danger.
    cayce_p | 9 Dec '04, 13:39 | Reply | X

  • Re: Lightning Bolt

    "Music taste: Yeah, too broad to effectively eloquate in this little box"

    I'm sure your integrity remains untarnished.
    Mike_Diver @cayce_p | 9 Dec '04, 13:55 | Reply | X

  • Re: Lightning Bolt

    niks - there's a part in their dvd where the drummer hangs from the rafters of a venue like a spider then drops onto his drum stool and comes back into the song without missing a beat. plus he now has some fucked up pulse generator on his bass drum.
    http://www.loadrecords.com/sound/lightningbolt_draculamountain.mp3
    http://www.loadrecords.com/sound/sample.mp3
    and something enigmatic - how overrated? without wanting to sound patronising, have you seen them live/watched their dvd?
    _adam_ @something_enigmatic | 9 Dec '04, 18:09 | Reply | X

  • Re: Lightning Bolt

    The creation of new musical forms is not dumb. The lightning bolt drummer is like a machine. I bet most indie rock drummers couldnt play that fast. Saying Lightning bolt is dumb is like saying a Willem de Kooning painting is dumb. A lot of live bands think they can produced that level of adrenalin but they cant. There is nothing like Lightning Bolt b4 them. I bet you think Melt Banana is dumb too? Rammstein is dumb, unoriginal adrenalin fun.
    Hamja @Mike_Diver | 9 Dec '04, 21:17 | Reply | X

  • Re: Lightning Bolt

    yes, i was at the gig on tuesday. it took me a while to get into what they were playing and even when i did i found it difficult to see what all the fuss was about.
    something_enigmatic @_adam_ | 9 Dec '04, 22:07 | Reply | X

  • Re: Lightning Bolt

    ah well, fair enough - you're entitled to an educated opinion. even if it is wrong. haha. but i guess with lightning bolt you'll either totally love them or be pretty indifferent.
    _adam_ @something_enigmatic | 9 Dec '04, 23:02 | Reply | X

  • Re: Lightning Bolt

    No no no, I dig MB as much as LB.
    And he IS like a machine. But machines are generally dumb - my can opener is a machine.
    Anyway... I like 'em. They's good. I've praised them whenever I've reviewed them - three times now. It makes me smile that a band like them can spread so much joy to so many people, and that they too seem like really nice guys.

    As an aside... Willem de Kooning now just makes me think of the Manic Street Preachers... ergh.
    Mike_Diver @Hamja | 10 Dec '04, 10:03 | Reply | X

  • Re: Lightning Bolt

    Ahh, touche sir.
    cayce_p @Mike_Diver | 10 Dec '04, 15:25 | Reply | X

  • Re: Lightning Bolt

    *wink wink nudge nudge*
    Mike_Diver @cayce_p | 10 Dec '04, 15:42 | Reply | X

  • Re: Lightning Bolt

    I'm sorry, I absolutely refuse to respond to anything that holds the vaguest of simularities to monty pyhton. I want nothing to do with those kind of people. Hey by the way stop letting girls boss you round man. I know there great but you gotta stand up to them or they'll never buy you a beer.
    cayce_p @Mike_Diver | 10 Dec '04, 16:54 | Reply | X

  • Re: Lightning Bolt

    But you DID respond.
    And thus, I win.
    Natch.
    Mike_Diver @cayce_p | 10 Dec '04, 17:36 | Reply | X

  • Re: Lightning Bolt

    I like, sooo knew you we're going to say that. None the less your point remains sir and it is you, not I, who are the victory in this particular, well I hesitate to say battle of wits but it's all that comes ot mind. Take whatver paltry satisfaction you can get motherfucker, hope it makes you smile. (no, really).
    cayce_p @Mike_Diver | 11 Dec '04, 12:35 | Reply | X

  • Re: Lightning Bolt

    eh?
    they're a fucking DANCE band! you stupid rockist indie fanzine lot ;)
    pink & brown know (knew) what they were on about.
    The_Kidz @_adam_ | 23 Dec '04, 23:58 | Reply | X
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