This page was last updated in November 2005We've left it here for reference.More information

25 May 2012
Accessibility help
Text only

	BBC Homepage England

»	BBC Local Berkshire Things to do People & Places Nature History Religion & Ethics Arts and Culture BBC Introducing TV & Radio Sites near Berkshire Hampshire London Oxford Wiltshire Related BBC Sites England
	Contact Us Like this page? Send it to a friend!

Reviews

Wire Jesus

Review: Pop Toys

By Steve Reynolds
November's Pop Toys saw Chinafight, The Sand Creek Massacre and Wire Jesus lure in a full-capacity crowd from the cold on Saturday 12 November. Did they warm everyone's cockles? Read the review.

Chinafight + The Sand Creek Massacre + Wire Jesus at 21 South Street arts centre, Reading, Saturday 12 November 2005.

You notice how cold it’s gone outside? Leaves falling off the trees, people looking glum as we await the cold snap to kick in?

Chinafight - without plastercast

The best cure for this – a visit to South Street arts centre to see three of Reading’s finest bands in action. Judging by tonight’s turnout it’s looking like the best medicine for Reading’s gig-going folks, including several members of the town’s other bands showing their support – nice one.

There are about 60 people on the floor when Chinafight hit the stage. Chinafight are an indie rocking four-piece straight out of uni. In frontman Marcus Fatey they have an instant charmer. He's all swagger like Jagger and Iggy Pop. He welcomes us into his show with open arms even if he has one of them in plaster - tambourine accident apparently.

They have a sound akin to our friends The Strokes. Fatey’s voice is gritty and downright dirty while the throng in front wonder how he manages to hit those sandpaper notes so well. In Brackets is their song for girls to dance to. Move over Julian Casablancas & co, Chinafight look destined for bigger and better things.

The Sand Creek Massacre

The Sand Creek Massacre step up to the plate next. They look genuinely up for this one tonight. Without a doubt they are the coolest-looking band in Reading and certainly have the haircuts to match.

The appeal of this band is in their songwriting. Forget your current scene of Franz copyists. Here is a band that has a focus on delivering beautifully crafted tunes without drenching them in bluster and feedback.

They have a Galaxy 500 feel about their first song, building slowly to a genial wall of guitar. Singer Matt’s unique high-rasping voice captivates the crowd and his 1000-yard stare shows his passion and feeling in the songs he barks at us. They also give us a marvelous slide guitar, which shows diversity and gives a alt-country feel to their sound. The last song builds like I Wanna Be Adored and ends with Come On. Need I say more? Phew!

Wire Jesus

When Wire Jesus take to the stage the crowd has now swelled to capacity (good shout Reading!) and they are an act you just can’t fail to like. Their songs give us a warm Ready Brek-type glow and Amy’s voice is pure cut glass. In fact, her vocals bring a tear to your reviewer’s eyes.

The musicianship here is stunning and complementing her is lead guitarist and fellow singer Mike. Some beautiful harmonies are laid out in front of us, reminiscent of The Carpenters at times. The sound is a mix of rock, acoustic and folk with dark underlying slabs of guitar to balance the haunting lead vocals. They're Britain’s answer to Drugstore but much lighter, jovial and without their pain.

They do a ‘newie’ and it rocks, even the bassist discovers his dancing shoes at the back of the stage. The pianist pushes out her part in competition for sound with the cello while they rant about the middle east. We shout for more, get an encore. Wire Jesus are special, very special indeed.

last updated: 14/11/05

Have Your Say

Steve Gifford
I am a singer song writer,looking to perfprm at the South St Arts Centre.Can you please e mail me a contact for the organiser?Thankssteveswg@aol.com

Nik
Tambourine accident? Yay I'm not the only one then!

B
it was the first time I'd seen Wire Jesus (something 'd been determined to do since missing them at the Henley Come Together festival), and I wasn't disappointed. I really enjoyed their set, which was well worth coming out on a cold night for. SCM were very good too, and Chinafight were fun. All in all, an excellent evening! So many top-quality bands in Reading at the moment - when is the town going to start getting national coverage for this?

james
I agree with Daniel. He didn't criticise the bands he criticised the way the review was written, which even Linda seems to be making excuses for. All to often the slightest bit of criticism directed at any local bands is taken badly, as if everyone should be blindly positive about their 'local music scene' with no room for critical judgement or opinion

Ron
Angie and I arrived to see Wire Jesus who we have known for a number of years and they just get better with every gig! Sand Creek Massacre have also impressed us with their look and sound. Unfortunately we arrived too late to catch Chinafight this time but I like their energy when I saw them in Mango Bar. We think it's great that the BBC has reviewers at local gigs and who provide encouragement to local acts. We thought Steve captured the mood of the Gig and the bands well. It's just too easy to bitch and find fault. None of these acts deserved criticism, just praise!

Sidney
I sadly had to miss this gig at the last minute but thoroughly enjoyed reading the review,it made me wish i was there even more..bit sad that certain people have to pick holes in the guy who did the review though.You could tell he was writing from his heart which is surely more refreshing than the pretentious style of some music reviews you read who feel it is almost uncool to give out praise...more from the guy who did the review !!!

Linda BBC Berkshire
Message to Daniel: Steve Reynolds is one of our new reviewers and I think he's done a really good job of summing up the night. We however appreciate your comments and if you think you can do better, why not send us a review of your own? Regards, Linda

Gregg
came down with a bunch of mates for a random nite of south street booze up. caught the tail end of chinafight, gotta say they were the best of the nite, even tho I was munted during Wire Jesus! good gig all round, tho. Go Go Reading!

Joe
A great night and once again a top performance by TSCM, but all the bands were quality and this town has an overdose of good live bands about at the moment.

Alex
I disagree - I read the review thinking yeah right...and show me a reviewer who doesn't make comparisons to big selling bands...bands from Reading rock at the moment, what a great night.

pedant
Weren't Drugstore a British band?

Jill Oxley
Wow - the night was fab fun, I loved Sandcreek Massacre. Give me more!

Daniel
'Move over Julian Casablancas & co, Chinafight look destined for bigger and better things.' yeah hmm much as i like chinafight i'm not sure they're going to be bigger than global million sellers The Strokes 'Forget your current scene of Franz copyists.' Like who? I don't think theres one band in Reading who sound like Franz 'Without a doubt they are the coolest-looking band in Reading and certainly have the haircuts to match. The appeal of this band is in their songwriting' So why mention their hair? The musicianship here is stunning and complementing her is lead guitarist and fellow singer Mike In what way? They're Britain’s answer to Drugstore but much lighter, jovial and without their pain. Apart from a Brazilian singer Drugstore were British. This review is terrible. Really lazily written and shoddy. Not what I'd expect from BBC Berks