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The Marabar Caves / Venus Fly Trap / Pat Fish /
Paul Cox + Simon Alexander + Graham Fieldhouse...,
Fri 15th June 2018 The Charles Bradlaugh, Northampton, .
To celebrate the release of volume 4 in Derrick A. Thompson's series of books 'Have Guitars...Will Travel' four very different acts showcase the diversity of Northampton's musical heritage.
Paul Cox and Simon Alexander are veterans of the rock scene playing in local acts The Earthmovers and Heartbreaker. This is their first performance together for 15 years since an appearance at London's prestigious Marquee club. Tonight they strip back the songs with Paul on vocals and acoustic guitar while Simon delivers some fine bluesy electric guitar. His guitar tone evokes images of smoky bars, most evidently on 'Nothing But a Heartache' (thankfully not the Bonnie Tyler song!) Paul and Simon mix blues, rock and folk in a pleasing manner that brings to mind Led Zeppelin. Closing their set with 'Earthmover' I hope they don't make us wait another 15 years for a repeat performance.
Up next is the wonderfully self-effacing Pat Fish. Wholly original you can't help but admire Pat, not only for his music but his ploughing a unique furrow oblivious to fads and trends and the result is the kind of set you'd get if Nick Cave had read Descartes. I'm sure Pat could have quite easily entered the mainstream but there's something about Northampton's alternative artists (think Alan Moore) who shy away from success in favour of integrity. Wrapping complexity in simplicity Pat is a real musicians musician it's clear to see why he's lauded by artists such as Tim Muddiman.
Soon to release their latest album 'Icon' The Venus Fly Trap are making (I think) their first live appearance of the year and they don't seem rusty at all. Like a pair of androids they play with robotic precision and by second track 'Morphine' they're in the groove. 'Sabotage' follows and latest single 'Vitesse' sits well with their back catalogue. Chrome reflected and fuel injected 'Rocket USA' takes off with guitarist Andy Denton effortlessly pulling riffs from his guitar accompanied by some fine angular dancing by vocalist Alex Novak. They close a fine set with a cover of The Cramps 'Human Fly' on which they put their own indelible stamp.
It's a special evening as The Marabar Caves are back together for the first time in 25 years. Their roots go deeper as vocalist/guitarist Tony Riseley and guitarist Bill Westley formed local punk band Great British Hope way back in punks heyday. Like Nigel and David from Spinal Tap they've bonded for life through a love of guitar music. Joking aside they share an undeniable chemistry and the interplay between guitars is stunning and it's hard to believe these songs haven't aired for a quarter of a century. 'Vegas' has a groove and swing that permeates much of their work and it's easy to see why they were leading lights n the Paisley Underground movement. 'The Prettiest Girl I've Ever Seen' has an almost carnival feel while the risqué 'Mick's Dick' is wrapped up in a monster riff. An encore of 'I Fought the Law' sees the band come full circle and they play with such joy that I'm sure we'll see them again soon.
Peter Dennis - Pulse-Alternative Magazine