Caves @ The Hope Brighton 24.07.10

Caves @ The Hope Brighton 24.07.10

Caves (gig picture coming soon!) were on tour with Good Luck when they reached the sunny shores of Brighton.  I’d heard a lot of good things about them but hadn’t yet heard either their 7″ on Specialist Subject Records or their split 10″ (with Calvinball, Pure Graft and Big City Plan) on Records or it Didn’t Happen.  What I did know was that the trio were fronted by Lou from Flamingo 50 a phenomenal power-pop-punk band from Liverpool who I never caught live so I was very interested to see if Caves shared any of the same influences.  After seeing them live I am rather happy to say that they are without a doubt (and yes I know I say this a lot..!) one of the best UK punk bands I have seen for quite some time; though definately coming from a similar place as Flamingo 50 (with Lou at the helm with her fantastic voice and guitar playing there were always going to be comparisons) the band steer clear of just being F50 part 2 by going down a more introspective route with a more Superchunk, Lemonheads vibe which is never ever a bad thing.

Check out this video of them playing Homeward Bound and Torn it Down from the gig, then download their set, fall in love with it then go buy both their records.

Set List:

Sick and Tired

Fell Apart

200 Miles

Homeward Bound

Torn It Down

Download the set by right clicking and saving as here

Good Luck @ The Hope Brighton 24.07.10

Good Luck @ The Hope Brighton 24.07.10

Good Luck are a pretty special band, I listened to their album Into Lake Griffy throughout my honeymoon as we travelled across Canada and America and it really is a great ‘concept’ album (in the loosest sense) to capture life, releationships and travelling – good times.  The band (featuring members past and present of some incredible bands such as One Reason, Darkness on The Edge of Town and Mr. Twee Talent Awesomeness himself – Matty Pop Chart).  Whilst there’s undeniably a whole lot of twee and pop to this band (ala Kimya Dawson perhaps?) there’s also a whole load of depth, talent and impressive lyrical depth; they manage to be a ‘musician’s band’ in that they are technically adapt but not noodling for the sake of it, they’re all about the songs and as their cover of Prince’s ‘When You Were Mine’ show they can throw in some humour as well.  They’re on tour around the UK now so do not miss them.  You can buy their album on CD directly from them or the vinyl from No Idea Records.  The band also have a new EP out which you can get from them at gigs or via a pay what you like download at their bandcamp page.  This set was from the second date of their UK tour and was at The Hope in Brighton.  The Hope is a pretty cool venue but I’ve always had problems dealing with them as a promoter as their sound limiter can be a real pisser as can really interrupt sets when bands are being told to turn down.  It wasn’t too big of an issue at this gig though and Jay put on a really great gig and everyone seemed to be really into all of it.  The other bands (Sauna Youth, Break The Habit and Caves) were all great too.  Well enough from me, enjoy the set!  Oh also my batteries (well my recorder’s batteries, I’m not a robot…or am I?!) ran out mid set so there is a song missing as I was trying to find spares, see if you can spot the seamless (!) editing.

Set List:

Come Home

Pajammin

Novel Figure

Stars Were Exploding

How To Live Here

Sleep With No Bad Dreams

When You Were Mine (Prince cover)

Public Radio

Man on Fire

Right click and download from here