Kristen Hersh is something of a musical legend. Having formed her first band, the Throwing Muses, at the tender age of 19, she spent the best part of a decade traversing the American underground scene helping to forge, along with label mates The Pixies and The Breeders, the seminal sounds of '80s
indie rock. In the years following the band's demise, five beautifully crafted acoustic albums were recorded in which the ghosts of Kristin's mental illness were exorcised with candid admission. In 50 Ft Wave the guitars are plugged back in but the intensity prevails.
Tonight's set is an explosion of energetic and primitive punk rock. A gig to miss at your peril. Despite each members' previous credentials, 50 Foot Wave are most definitely their own band. Sure, Throwing Muses hinted at the harder edge of alternative music, but this band are more thrashy, more up-tempo and, essentially, more electrifying.
 | | The bassist sporting a large grin |
Kristen utilises her guitar with aplomb. 'Clara Bow' is an overdrive ridden, angsty punk songs which claims 'rules are made to be broken', whilst 'Bug' has a surf-esque guitar line and melodic bass. The set largely comprises of material from new album Golden Wave. The band thrive on the gritty, highly emotive songs, such as 'Long Painting' and 'Dog Days'. Bernard thrashes his bass around, never missing a beat thanks to the precision of drummer Rob. Kristin delivers her feral vocals with might, her neck muscles contorting with every vowel, particularly in the brash 'Pneuma'. The whimsical nuances of her past acoustic releases have been banished for 50 Ft Wave. Instead Kristin sings with guttural ferocity, a harshness that compliments the intensity of the music, which is broken only by Kristin’s young son who wanders on stage, much to the rapture of the crowd. And rapturous the crowd remain. A mixture of Muses-era fans, clued-up students and a few inquisitive gig-goers, they have already been informed by the band's roadie to give cheer for the Boardwalk. Being one of the few 'proper clubs' left in the country means 39 Snig Hill will apparently ensure this band's swift return to Sheffield. And what a joy that will be. 50 Foot Wave were supported by Ormondroyd and Mysties Big Adventure on Monday, 18 April, 2005 @ the Boardwalk. | 
