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Rachel
Stamp have come a long way since the idea of a glam-based fusion
of guitars and glitter first drifted into the mind of frontman David
Ryder-Prangley.
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Bedecked
in make-up and glitter: Rachel Stamp's David Ryder-Prangley
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Following
on from a successful US tour and sold out gigs in London, they have
been invited tonight by My Ruin to bring us their unique sensations.
And
so the band - Ryder-Prangley, Shaheena Dax, Will Crewdson and "borrowed"
drummer Alan Van Kleef - glide onstage to the noise of excited screams.
With
lyrics of tortured enjoyment, guitars of echoing pleasure and a
gentle yet affecting keyboard, Rachel Stamp smash through such favourites
as 'I Got the Worm,' 'Pink Scab' and 'My Sweet Rose.'
sheer
joy
Excitingly,
a track from their forthcoming album is also played tonight to the
approval of the crowd.
David's
amplifier blows up with the sheer joy of it all and a duet with
My Ruin's Tairrie B on single 'Black Cherry' ends the set on a high.
| "As
proceedings draw to a close, a Kiss cover is played. And then
there's a finale as the lead singer of each support band is
invited to share the stage for one last climax of sound..." |
Headliners
My Ruin have black clothes, black hearts and black lyrics.
That
this band is heavy scream-metal is undeniable, yet they are anything
but clichéd or run of the mill.
A unique
sound is created by clear guitars and a throbbing bass and energetic
drums, their thundering drive complemented by the force of Miss
Tairrie B's lyrics and vocal twists and turns.
Watching
this band is like watching cats fighting: there are screams, claws
and injured pride.
commanding
Mick
Murphy's guitars take the crowd to new heights of energy and create
mayhem in the small room.
Yael's
drumsticks fly so fast they are invisible in the flashing lights
and new bassist Johnny Chow gives a commanding performance, as does
his beard.
Fast
and furious, the stage is soon covered in sweat and make up as My
Ruin smash through songs such as 'Stinkface,' 'Beautyfiend,' 'Made
to Measure' and 'Burn the Witch.'
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Inimitable:
My Ruin's Tairrie B
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Miss
B lovingly holds the hands of the people in the front row and lies
gently back on top of them as she sings.
The
crowd are encouraged to join in at every step and the mic is often
shared with the front row.
As
proceedings draw to a close, a Kiss cover is played as an encore
and things seem to be winding down.
simultaneously
screeching
But
there's a finale as the lead singer of each support band is invited
to share the stage for one last climax of sound.
The
experience of seeing and hearing four metal singers (ok, three metal
singers and one glam, but David can hold his own) simultaneously
screeching to a Black Flag cover has to be believed.
The
stage is empty, the gig is over, yet the crowd and venue are still
throbbing - and probably will be for some time.
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Listen live
Click
through amazing shots of London from high up in a helicopter!