Subtle

Owing to the delights of London’s public transport system, I have a fairly frantic time rushing to get to ULU tonight. But once I manage to catch the last of Culprit One’s set, a wave of ease breezes over my anxiousness - they are one of the main reasons for this mission.

Think early nineties dance/ambient/techno, with impassioned MC-ing and feelgood heavy female vocals, shimmering with a nostalgic glimpse of the Catherine wheel-luminous days of Megadog. Now that’s what I’m talking about. It’s all the makings of a top night of feet stomping, euphoric hand-gesturing and even some waving of lighters. The latter’s an odd reaction given this isn’t a Scorpion’s gig, but Culprit One is quite clearly relentless when it comes to getting a crowd reaction, especially since they manage to turn an audience who initially seem a bit wooden. Tonight there are some seriously sizzling choons belting out from the crafty synth genius – even the aloof indie kid in the corner gives in to shaking his booty. It just goes to show that it’s not a proper Saturday night out unless you can get your groove on, have a laugh and let go.

By this token, Adam ‘Doseone’ Drucker is man full of jokes. So much so that he is determined to have a jolly good chuckle in the perfidious face of life. Surrounded on stage by an array of theatrical skulls and a torso-masked mascot, it almost looks like a scene from a twisted take on_ Hamlet_.

Drucker tinkers about on a keyboard before grabbing the mike, delivering quizzical rants against a backdrop of rumbling pelleted beats. He is a fascinating character who toys around with random things including black and white plastic forks, all the time with a wishbone chained around his neck. Between songs he comes up with comical factoids: “Did you know they’ve arranged for the children when the hang Saddam, they will hang one of the Ronald Mc Donalds?”

On a more sober note, he later contemplates: “Who is the strongest man in the universe?” As someone shouts,_ “Dax Pierson,”_ Drucker responds: "That’s right.” He hands one of their CDs to them.

Few could argue against his opinion, as it was all a bit touch and go for the Subtle bandmate – the absent sixth member tonight - after his infamous black ice road accident in Ohio. Fears grew as to whether his music career would be cut short due to his quadriplegic state, but although his onstage presence is missing from this show his inspirational and resilient spirit remains in the songs.

Aside from the entertaining aesthetics, Subtle have an original sensibility that leaves a distinctive mark, from track to track. Fortunately they fail to live up to their name: they are anything but subtle. They strikingly combine a variety of instruments, including drums, saxophones and an electric cello to name but a few. Enhancing this are raw yet infectious harmonies: it’s surreal, reactionary and surprisingly unpretentious.

With the hyperventilating wit of ‘The Mercury Craze’ and the vehemence of ‘Middleclass Stomp’, it’s quite clear why Subtle are by far one of the most exciting, creative, smart and true bands around. Intrigued? You should be!