Handicapped by a ridiculous and misleading name, the International Pop Overthrow presents festivals of new music that have been held in nine American cities. Last year David Bash presented the first one outside the US at the Cavern and its success prompted a second visit to Liverpool in October 2004, this time covering nine days and featuring over 100 bands. The premise is excellent – all bands are welcome providing David Bash likes them and they write their own material. Liverpool, like everywhere else, is awash with cover bands and so it is gratifying to hear an evening of 80 new songs from 12 different bands playing on the club’s two stages for a fiver. The quality is variable – it has to be – but all the bands have to find their own way there and are playing for free and so they have to be passionate about their music to set out from across the world. Naturally, being able to put the Cavern on your CV is an encouragement. It is an excellent idea to have two bands playing concurrently with quick changeovers but if one of those bands is emulating Oasis, there is leakage which can spoil the other performance. A very pleasant and highly talented folk trio from Israel, Goldoolins, were handicapped in this respect and I would have liked to have heard their fine harmonies in a different setting. Most bands were under 30 and new to me, but there were exceptions. The veteran surf musicians, Walter Egan and John Zambetti, were part of the Malibooz and it’s bizarre to hear 50-something adults singing that “surfing and driving are the only two things that I know.” Walter, a surf guitarist par excellence, included his 1978 US hit, ‘Magnet And Steel’ and the entire set was hugely enjoyable. The other veteran was Kimberley Rew, who had written the Eurovision winner, Love Shine A Light for Katrina and the Waves in 1997. He was with Ralph Alfonso in a group called RALPH and their set included a poignant tribute to Billy Fury. The most impressive of the many bands influenced by the psychedelic Beatles was the Badge from New York and their Walkin’ Down A Brand New Road was a kissing cousin to Drive My Car. The title track of their new album Calling Generation Mojo, was one of the festival’s many highlights. Close behind Badge and also from New York were the Sun Kings and their Give Me A Reason could have come from a Badfinger album. In the same vein, Kelly’s Heroes from London were also very striking. If young bands can write Lennon and McCartney songs, why can’t McCartney? Some bands play too loud for own good (and their own hearing) and the 16 year olds from Wales, Adzuki, couldn’t have been louder in a stadium. It may be youthful enthusiasm but it marred the appreciation of their songs. Similarly, I couldn’t decipher a word of what the Manchester band, No Standards, were singing in their curious amalgam of cabaret and punk. The heavy metal band, The Puzzle from Hungary were also extremely loud, but I was mesmerised by the female guitarist shaking her hair. Same thing with the Capes from London as their lead singer had so much blond hair that it covered the whole of his face when he moved. They played with the energy of the Ramones and have plenty of potential. Scrambled Eggs from Saint-Etienne were a French Oasis, but if you’re going to do Oasis, you shouldn’t be too agreeable. The thing about Oasis is that they are threatening and their performances are on the edge. The only disruptive moment was when Jana Peri’s act was overshadowed by three men displaying their bottoms. In a wonderful example of serendipity, she was followed by the Moon. | "It’s probably economics but several performers used backing tapes, which is always a disappointment. If they are any good, you always want to hear the" | | Spencer Leigh |
The Mags playing with Scouse confidence had the compressed sound of Oasis and their songs, Freefallin’ and I Feel Freedom, made me consider them a band to watch. I have followed another Merseysider, Susan Hedges, for five years and watched her grow in confidence. She presented new songs like Dying Fire, a local favourites, River City Girl and a statement about growing up blind, The Fighting Kind. Her band of fellow students was excellent and the 18 year old has the potential of Laura Nyro. I enjoyed the melodic songs and harmonies of re:verb from the Ribble Valley, but their fantastic, jazz-based drummer sounded as though he had come to the wrong place. By and large, there is not much humour in the songs so it is welcomed when it is heard. A Scottish band Wonderboy performed Tossing The Caber, a Chuck Berry homage which referred to waking up with your big woody. Mike Ruekberg from Los Angeles possessed the quirkiness of a young Elvis Costello and his songs had an unusual take on life. He said, “Who is this group, the Beatles? I’d never heard of them until yesterday. Oh, Yesterday, good title for a song.” Brad Brooks from San Francisco had a song that was the antithesis of All You Need Is Love with the line, “Everyone needs someone to detest”, but Brad Brooks was in my bad books for poor rhyming. I’m tough on rhyme, tough on the causes of rhyme. Brendan Blake from the Seattle band Superdeluxe sang from his solo album, A Year In Pajamas. I enjoyed She Came On (a No.l in the Philippines, or so he claimed) very much but the songs lacked definable choruses. The Landys, named after Brian Wilson’s doctor, were terrific. The lead singer postured like Mick Jagger and both Treehouse and Strong Enough To Be Weak Enough were very good. They added words to a Beach Boys’ instrumental, Let’s Go Away For A While. I enjoyed the Hidden Folk, a trio featuring harp and cello and a good songwriter and lead singer. The Devil Has All The Best Tunes was much appreciated by the crowd, but they came from the suburbs. The Cardiff singer and songwriter, the very skinny Sarah Howells, led Halflight and her sad, whimsical songs possessed a touch of Eddi Reader. Priya Thomas was a female singer/songwriter with very striking, posed movements and with songs reminding me of Tori Amos. It’s probably economics but several performers used backing tapes, which is always a disappointment. If they are any good, you always want to hear them with a band. Last year Tam Johnstone, the son on Elton John’s 70s guitarist, Davey Johnstone, played a terrific country-rock set with his band, the General Store, but this year it was just him and his tapes. Nevertheless, he is a strong performer and his new album, Mountain Rescue, is first rate. These names, by and large, will mean little to you, but all of them have websites with their products for sale and very often, downloads for free. Samples of their work are also available on the IPO’s own compilations. The latest one, International Pop Overthrow, Volume 7 contains 69 original tracks on 3 CDs. It is very enjoyable and who knows, I suspect it will become collectable too. I loved the IPO but the Cavern is an unhealthy place and to file this report, I must have breathed in the smoke from 100 cigarettes. Hopefully, the policy can be revised for next year.
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