Home / Gigs / Review /
Redjetson
65daysofstatic and Youthmovies
by Mike Diver
Somewhere, buried beneath the layers of sublime noise, a heartstring snaps. My phone buzzes in my pocket. The message is from a friend, stood at the front. “Fuck” is all it says. One word, a multitude of meanings. Today, ‘fuck’ means ‘fucking incredible’.
Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies are a band on fire; a band so near the peak of their potential powers that every second of tonight’s four-song set possesses as much passion as an hour of any hair gel-endorsed nonsense. Yeah, that’s an easy swipe, but utterly valid: YMSS are almost certainly, probably, maybe the greatest live band in the country. No amount of argument from weekly magazine polls or the muso fashion police will change this made-up mind.
Such a statement doesn't come without careful consideration – tonight YMSS are sandwiched between the always awe-inspiring Redjetson and everyone's favourite (only?) glitch-rockers, 65daysofstatic. Both deliver sets worthy of larger venues and bigger crowds; both possess an incredible energy and an all-consuming presence so remarkable that turning away and heading towards the bar simply isn’t an option. The spirit of independence and invention courses through the veins of the ten musicians that comprise this brace of bands, yet for all their greatness and deserved acclaim it’s YMSS who steal this show, just as they did when they supported Hood in Oxford last week… just like they did at the ICA in January… just like they always have.
Fuck, they’re good: opener ‘A Little Late He Staggered Through The Door And Into Her Eyes’ sets a tone that’s maintained throughout, i.e. one of excellence. New single ‘Ores’ is the least ‘proggy’ of their four songs, but its pulsating beats and hand-clap break are by-products of an inventiveness that’s grander than that of any other UK outfit, even those that play alongside them tonight. By the time ‘…Spooks The Horse’ reaches its repeated climaxes, guitars pitched so gloriously high that dogs for five miles must be going mental, aforementioned friend has staggered his way back to our nook of safety.
“They’re amazing,” he says.
Fuck yeah.
Sign Up to Post Comments
Reply
-
Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies
Incredible. Astounding. Superlative.
Etc. -
Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies
Michael,
You have my wholegearted agreement about the sheer excellence of both 65 Days and Youthmovie. They were both awesome yet the latter stole the show.
However, much I'd like to say good things about Redjetson, they kinda sounded to me a bit a like Explosions in the Sky with some misplaced vocals... maybe it's just me??? -
Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies
het martin ur exactly right about redjetson. they're cool but could be stunning if they tightened up slighly musically, and the only way to do this would be to boot out their singer, who is, as u said, misplaced -
Re: Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies
Misplaced in what way? Could you explain a little further please? -
Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies
I like Redjetson's singer - we have enough Mogwai/Slint/Explosions in the Sky clones around at the moment; what was amazing about last night was that it involved three bands who, while each taking huge inspiration from that genre, put their own unique and different twist on it.
Redjetson's vocals set them apart, they add another element to the music, rather like an extra instrument (a la Isis/Jesu) .Also, I don't know whether this was just a live thing cos I don't know much recorded stuff but his voice reminds me a bit of Ian Curtis, I think it's the pronunciation and the fact that it's quite deep and melancholy. This can only be a good thing in my eyes.
As for YMSS - they set themselves apart from the standard post-rock genre with crazy time signature changes, massive amounts of energy, impassioned vocals and jazz drumming - as well as some slightly more off the wall things like handclaps and a capella vocals.
And 65daysofstatic set themselves apart by adding the crazy electronica and dance elements, high volume, the massively euphoric nature of the music (which is lacking in a lot of post rock clones) and the sheer energy the band have on stage.
All of these things make these 3 bands - and thus last night's gig - far more interesting than your common or garden post-rock gig. -
Re: Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies
I think on first listen, to people who're used to listening to instrumental music like Redjetson make, Clives vocals jolt. To others, they're entranced by the Jim Morrision/Ian Curtis imagery laced spirals of tales. It's more unexpected than misplaced. Or at least that's what the vast majority of folks have said in reviews... -
Re: Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies
I can hear the Ian Curtis.
What I don't get is people who are quick to lump them into Mogwai-shaped pigeonholes; they're a lot darker than that, and just as schooled in the ways of 80s alternative - Joy Division, The Cure etc - as they are in the mannerisms of the post-rockers of today.
I think.
I love their guitar-mangling intensity, and Clive's vocals work really well with the drama going on around him.
Anyway, I like 'em. Nuff said. -
Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies
I agree with your view expressed in the article, yes YMSS 'are on fire!'
But not to forget, it was a stunning night from all three amazing bands. They each have such energy and almost unlimited creative spark that makes them outshine anything else out there on the tour circuit. I have gone to see each of them just so many times, and they entertain, entrance and energise me every live set. Seeing all three on one bill was...words fail me-not a common thing that!
All I can say is a big thanks to all the bands and the presenter-my gig of the year.
Star
www.ph-uk.co.uk -
Re: Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies
I agree with the comparison to the Cure - them, plus Joy Division, were the first bands I thought of when I saw Redjetson last night - one of the reasons I liked them so much. -
Re: Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies
As I was watching them, I did think of a more proggy / atmospheric take on Interpol. Which amounts to the same, I suppose, as what you're saying ;-)
Must've worked, anyway, cause I walked away with their album. I intended to save a bit of money by not drinking last night, but walked away with £20.00 worth of CDs, so that's that one scuppered, eh? -
Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies
I'm disappointed at the lack of mentions of the mighty DJ Scotch Egg!
*Gameboy noise*
"fuck youuuuuu, fuckerrrrrrrs!!!""
*ten minutes of blast beats* -
Re: Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies
Arrived late. -
Re: Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies
Oh, you missed a show. I didn't even mention the part where he threw scotch eggs at the crowd. -
Re: Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies
Oh no, I saw the remains... -
Re: Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies
Hi Star
Dan C was telling me about the interview mixup - we'd love to be interviewed by you. Drop us an email at redjetson@redjetson.co.uk and we can arrange a time/place.
Thanks! -
Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies
Scotch Egg saved my life. The man is a fucking legend.
Wish I went to this gig. -
Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies
i first heard redjetson when they did the tour with ymss, and for the first few songs i didnt like clive's vocals, but the music was so powerful i put it to one side. i brought the tour split 12" and the vocals really started to grow on me. i have now seen them twice and have the album and i think that his vocals are a perfect contrast to the music and make the band all the better for it.
although i can understand why the vocals might put people off, stick with it and in the end you'll end up absolutely loving their stuff. -
Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies
yeah i think that i need to listen to their stuff a bit more to get used to the vocals. i suppose saying their misplaced is slightly the wrong word to use, as someone says above, unexpected sounds a bit right. Its prob because i enjoy the music so much that when the vocal comes along it feels a bit strange.
Great live tho. However i prefered ymss when i saw them together. don't u hate it when u see someone live and they're brilliant and then the next act comes on and tops them! It makes u think whether the first band were any good at all! -
Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies
Good review Mike, I agree. But you really think YMSS stole the show at the ICA? I thought the technical problems handed the night to Redjetson.
And yes, YMSS are the greatest live band in Britannia. Hands down. -
Re: Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies
On seeing 65 Days for the first time at this gig, and not being lost for words, like me ;)
Dubs wrote: "65 Days Of Static are looking likely to be making the step up to much larger venues, in the very near future. Catch them before they cause mosh-pits of mass destruction!"
For the full review check:
http://www.ph-uk.co.uk/post/EEpAEpZkpudrIUfNIS.shtml -
Re: Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies
i agree entirely. they strike me as a downgrade hope of the states (another band ruined by their singing). and, as post rock goes, uninspiring.
i dont believe that ymss will ever not be incredible though, and have got to see 65dos sometime soon. -
Re: Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies
i'm going to be a whiney bitch: ymss aren't post rock by an stretch of the imagination. math rock, son, math rock. more sums.
post rock as a genre name needs to die, it's overused to the point of irrelevance. 65dos are partycore, ymss are stopstartcore, redjetson are drumstickguitarbowingcore, dj scotch egg is BESTTHINGEVERCORE...
and we're done.
that gig was amazing, and also good value, as i try to catch all of those 3's london shows. -
Re: Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies
I see your point Gecks, post-rock is an over and pretty meaningless term. But, if you take it to mean experimental rock of a predominantly instrumental nature- Ymss would sort of fit it.
Don't get me started on the term 'math rock' I think I agree with what Yannis from The Edmund Fitzgerald said about that label:
"There’s no such thing. There’s a scene in Chicago labelled math-rock, bands that rip off Shellac are called math-rock. Any instrumental rock of a complicated nature is labelled math-rock. It’s just a facile term to describe a non-genre."
Whatever you want to call it, the music all three bands play is something special.
See you at the next gig!
-
Re: Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies
all post rock means is a group of bands that are bored of the state of rock and so push the boundaries to an infinite extent
it is a beautiful thing
but what is all this core rubbish
peatcore?
awesome -
Re: Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies
Would Redjetson be awecore? or starcore? -
Re: Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies
I thought post-rock was the scene that formed in chicago in the early nineties, after albums like 'spiderland' by slint and 'rusty' by rodan.. and then picked up by mogwai et al towards the end of the decade, until everyone got bored of 20 minute songs.. the term post rock means about as much as indie did the days of britpop.. -
Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies
Its about time these boys played Nottingham.
When's it gonna be, eh? -
Re: Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies
I disagree entirely. -
Re: Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies
you think ymss are shit? -
Re: Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies
OK ok, pedant. Check my profile and you'll see I rate YMSS very highly indeed.
To be precise, I disagree with you about redjetson. -
Re: Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies
and thats the beauty of humanity... -
Re: Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies
Absolutely my good man. -
Re: Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies
Yeah, when I used the term 'post-rock' I meant primarily instrumental rock music that pushes the limits of the genre - hence the 'post-' bit - however I agree that it's getting a bit stale both as a genre and a term, which is why I said that each of the bands is special because they take the genre in new and more interesting directions.
I've got to say, I hate the term '-core' used after things... -
Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies
im sure they played nottingham at the end of last year, i think ymss are amazing seen um bout 6 times and they just get better and better, always wanted to see them with edmund fitzgerald and my dream will come true on march 5th!!!! -
Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies
Hey Dom.
We actually played in Nottingham 3 times last year!
Once at the Rescue Rooms in May with Hope of The States, once at Junktion7 in August with Redjetson and once back at the Rescue Rooms with Oxes in October.
We'll be back there in the summer though for sure. -
Re: Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies
How about several(?) times last year. -
Re: Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies
i hear YMSS are finally playing noriwch now, right?
heard some rumors from woody about some involvement from redjetson too (who i'm still undecided about), but that may have just been speculative. any confirmation? -
Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies
Sounds good, but what happened exactly to 65 Days Of Static on the rest of their tour?? They seemed to forget that they had dates all across the country to attend.
Dont know thats what seemed to happen to the dates in the West Country. -
Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies
65 DOS are playin at The Central in Poole, Sat 26th Feb with Rival Jousts and Brenda//...........Parkstone train station just outside the venue.
Doors Open 8pm
I must see YMSS. -
Re: Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies
Mmmm, trip to the seaside for sun(?), sea and rock...?
*checks pockets*
DAMN SOUTHWEST TRAINS AND THEIR EXPENSIVE TICKETS! -
Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies
Mike, where was the reviewing of every other band that played that night? Redjetson? 65daysofstatic (who were in my opinion band of the night)? Methinks 65 at least deserve a bit more than a mere mention...
And you MISSED DJ Scotch Egg!? You will regret that for the rest of your life.
Comments (41)
- Post a new comment on this article