Guitar Noise

*Teevo with One Unique Signal and The Edmund Fitzgeralds at the Colchester Arts Centre, August 19, 2004

The only other occasions I have been to the Arts Centre were when I saw Athlete and The Killers, respectively. At both these times the venue was packed right up to the door and beyond. I then naturally assumed that “the curse of the arts centre” was just an urban rock n roll myth…However, obviously those occasions were rarities…

Not soon after I arrived at the venue for the *Teevo show, a very tall lofty geezer with a vibrant tea cozy on his head informed me he had just heard that the first band due on stage, The Edmund Fitzgerald’s, were going to be delayed, something about the “Mystery Machine” breaking down. With the meager turn out and this place being one act short of a line up, things weren’t looking so good.

After what seemed like an hour of waiting, there came the mildest cheer a crowd this size could muster as the Edmunds arrived. The turnout, plus their less than smooth journey from Oxford didn’t seem to hinder them as they took to the stage…

As composed and as well rehearsed as this trio obviously were, it didn’t take long for me to acquire the dreaded gig disease of the fidgets during the odd thirty-five minutes of their performance, the first half hour consisting of just two songs. Both started out great, and would have obvious potential if their needlessly and ineffectively long length were shortened.

A welcomingly brief interval preceded the London quartet, One Unique Signal. I had heard bits and bobs from this band, and my expectations were high.

The opener Lowry was a first-class indie rock effort, and truly set the form for the band’s whole set. The energy from drummer/singer Lee was admirable, and they were blatantly brimming with energy and youthful promise. May I suggest however, (well of course I can – it’s my bloody review) perhaps a name change for the band?? Sorry, but you hear “One Unique Signal,” you hear “One True Voice”. This band doesn’t speak much onstage, which isn’t rare and sometimes, based on the mindless gap filling “humor” from some bands, is welcome, and luckily for them, their endless exuberance deflects from any fear of bland personalities.

Deciding to put concerns about missing the train aside, I watched as local crew *Teevo (mustn’t forget the star (the “*”) now!) appeared for the final curtain. A considerable change of pace ensued, after the slightly indie prog-rock tones of One Unique Signal and the similar prog (math)-rock of the Edmunds, my ears pricked up as *Teevo began to stretch their punk rock chords.

According to a member of the band, they are always getting told they should be supporting King Adora “somewhere in Camden”. I could see this sure, but until that happens, their stature was fine just as it was placed. I won’t sugar the pill here, this ain’t my thing. The singer is a screechy hazard, and not in a good way, in the fingernails down the chalkboard kinda way. The lyrics were your standard, heard-it-all-before-try hard punk stuff. The sound was good, and you can tell these guys have instrumental talent. Maybe a change in vocal style (or maybe even vocalist?) would help. As it is, these guys appeal very well to their desired market, and that “oo what a nasty punk I am” market just ain’t mine.

After pegging it to the trainy, just in time to catch the Essex express, I sat down looking forward to grabbing more material to hear from One Unique Signal, so that meant this gig certainly wasn’t a bust. “Apparently”, the Arts Centre isn’t considered a cool place to be seen in. Well, I personally think it’s a very cool venue indeed- a good-sized stage, bar, crowd space, and good sound. And all this despite the fact this is “the devil’s” music we’re listening to, and we’re listening to it in a formerly active church.

I gave this gig a six out of a possible ten!