The Bug Club
The Irish Centre
Support: Tulpa and Getdown Services
As I was drinking in the sights of one of the pillars of the Leeds music scene (quite literally, they of course do a lovely Guinness) Tulpa had already taken to the stage to a packed audience so soon after doors. Tulpa are the Leeds Supergroup that we absolutely did need. Featuring members from Mush and Drahla’s Mike Ainsley on Drums, Tulpa deliver a noisy alt-pop sound. Some new numbers were road-tested live for the first time which they have just finished recording and produced by Jamie Lockhart. Safe to say they were great (even if I didn’t catch the names) and I am looking forward to hearing them again when they are eventually released.
In a flash, Getdown Services bounded onto the stage. The band are getting fairly used to hearing the comparisons to Sleaford Mods. While I can understand where this comes from, as some of their numbers feature droll spoken lyrics analysing our messed-up society which act as a solid marker for the genre, I do feel that really is where the similarities end between the two bands. Sleaford Mods, for example, won’t have you creasing with laughter between songs with a self-described ‘Butlins’ level of crowd work. Getdown Services are basically what would happen if Confidence Man were involved in a freak teleportation accident were the Chuckle Brothers were also in the pod. This was initially highlighted by, instead of the usual beer flying around, the stage was pelted with bags of crisps from the crowd during the song ‘Crisps’. Ben Sadler’s dance moves are also something to behold, especially in ‘Cream of the Crop’. On top of all that, the songs Getdown Services are putting out are just pure bangers. Party beats are entwined with witty lyrics about everyday life, Jamie Oliver and, of course, crisps - with a peppering of funky guitar riffs and solos from Josh Law. Finishing off with ‘Dog Dribble’, Getdown Services had the Irish Centre bouncing. If they roll into Leeds again, join in with the fun.
There is a lot to say about The Bug Club’s set. First and foremost, the sound was a heap better than at the Grayston Unity. The repetitive, witty lyrics are one of the main reasons you go to see this band, and they were in harmony with the simplistic yet catchy melody of each song during this set. Some songs however like ‘Rare Birds’ which almost put the crowd into a dreamlike stupor in Halifax just didn’t translate as well to the wide stage of the Irish Centre, but this was only a fleeting blip in an otherwise solid show. I, for instance, didn’t expect to ever see a mosh pit at a Bug Club gig, but the Radio 6 da’s were keen to let loose on this Friday evening to correct me on this point, with the swell of bodies bouncing to songs like ‘War Movies’ and ‘A Bit Like James Bond’. One of my favourite tracks from the new album ‘Best Looking Strangers in the Cemetery’ held up well with a bigger crowd and gave Sam Willmett a chance to shred on guitar.
It was also fun to hear the new song ‘At Least Three More’ to start off the encore. This pushes the limits of the number of words spoken in a minute to potentially record-breaking levels through Tilly Harris’ linguistic solo. Of course, the show would not be complete without ‘Quality Pints’ a fast-paced song about tasty beverages consumed in your local community that brought the show-to an energetic close.
The gig was however not without the usual crowd gremlins. This edition, however, was particularly obtuse. There is absolutely nothing wrong with chatting to the person next to you in between songs, but to scream in a drunken stupor for half the show hints at a lack of awareness that concerns me for their ability to cross roads safely. It didn’t end there though as the neanderthal in question proceeded to then square up to my friend and I and wouldn’t back off when asked politely (and less politely). Gigs are crowded places, but there’s no need to invade the personal space of others so intentionally and aggressively. If there’s also anything worse than being unable to hold your ale, it’s wearing a Peaky Blinders style flat cap and thinking in any way it makes you look fashionable. It makes you look like a failed jockey. Just leave it at home and preferably you stay there too. I hope to eventually not have to shine a light on issues like this, but the general public keeps pushing them in my general direction. Anyway, I digress.
Ignoring the drunks, my first visit to the Irish Centre was brilliant. Tulpa and Getdown Services were solid supports and The Bug Club continue to pump out catchy tunes and shows to match the quality. If they keep producing tunes and shows at this level, it won’t be long until they have their nice semi-detached bungalow in Southeast Wales.
Words and Pictures by J. Konopinski.
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