Cellar Messiah

1 in 12 Club (Bradford)

Support: 

Echo Machine One

Die Schöne Familie

Yeah that’s right; “Bradders”, “Bratfud”, “Wool-town” – definitely not Leeds. How then did your friendly neighbourhood zine-sters end up HERE of all places on the “wrong” side of Bramley?

Well in truth several stars collided – City of Culture, Instagram, a chance meeting at Hyde Park Book Club and a possibly apocryphal story. Brief history time and this WILL end up on exam papers – The 1 in 12 was formed in 1981 (yes, I was alive, no I know you probably weren’t) and has been celebrating its 40th anniversary in conjunction with events supported by the City of Culture; focussing on the club’s importance to the local community, music, arts and immense anarchist library. Unsurprisingly this had been promoted on Insta and led to somewhat shameful feelings on my part about never having visited. Bumping into half of Cellar Messiah recently, the topic cropped up and they mentioned a forthcoming gig – you can see how the dots were joined.

Due to ‘immersing ourselves in the Bradfordian experience’ (curry at The International & a pint at The Fighting Cock) we arrived after Die Schöne Familie had finished their set – many apologies but we’ll certainly be looking to catch their electro-industrial loop-show ASAP!

A stripped-down Echo Machine One followed and I definitely wasn’t expecting something as ambient-yet-angry as we got. It was genuinely unique, mesmerising, liminal sound and one I’m looking forward to catching in full-band-formation. It’s eminently clear the band are using their platform to deliver a political message that covers local, national and international issues; not just through Jimmy’s lyrics & inter-song chat but also the free zines they had on offer at the merch table. Recommended for fans of great songs, impeccable sound and caring about things that matter.

Before we get on to headliners Cellar Messiah, it’s important to note, for the record, that in the year of our Lord 20-25 this gig was £3 entry. THREE QUID! FOR THREE BANDS! Even I can do the maths on that one. No one’s profiting on something like this – it’s about getting people down to appreciate honest music that folk have put time and effort into honing and making something happen and long may it continue; keep music real, keep music live and keep music connecting people!

There was talk of this only being CM’s sixth gig, which is extraordinary given the sound and performance they delivered. Intricately layered guitar building into a wall of hypnotic, shimmering, psychedelic drone over metronomic drums that created a dynamic of energetic dissonance. Meanwhile the bass ties everything together like the ‘secret ingredient’ in that cocktail your mate makes. Frontwoman Mel’s vocals - part Siouxsie, part ritual incantation - are delivered with a Nico-esque teutonic aloofness adding to the overall aesthetic, ambience and auditory reverberation of the band. There’s an intrinsic tension in the music especially on tracks like ‘Joy limit’ and ‘Precipissed’. This isn’t background music - it’s crafted harmony and vibration that requires your undivided attention and it isn’t going to ask you nicely for it. There’s a good chance it’ll also have your wallet and phone away while you’re entranced – don’t say you weren’t warned!

And for anyone who’s still wondering about the apocryphal story – legend has it the 1 in 12 turned down the offer of a benefit gig by PJ Harvey after comments in support of hunting. That level of stubbornness will ALWAYS be greeted with my approval.  

Words and Pictures by Rusty Li.

First and last picture: Cellar Messiah. Second Picture: The Magical (Echo) Machine (One).