I just saw Maths, Jairus, Pneu and Shield Your Eyes at the Portland Arms for £4.
The drummer in Maths, Alfie, reminded me of how I used to look and act when I was playing in Abjure, although none of his sticks, cymbals, stands, pedals or drum heads broke so I suppose he must be a gentler chap.
Jairus were on good form. This was the first time I’ve seen them with the new line-up, and they rocked the Portland solidly. Symon Minter’s work with Jairus is among my favourite drumming, but Doug Jenkins worked hard and lived up well to the difficult task of replicating Symon’s beats and fills on the old songs. The new material set the joint reverberating wonderfully.
Pneu were like Lightning Bolt, but more intense. Between songs, as well as keeping a beat going, the drummer kept motioning to the audience to come closer. The crowd became a gathering. He played some drum fills on the beer glass of a lady standing next to the drum kit, and some other fills on the guitarist’s guitar neck. He played the hi-hat with his elbows. Everyone in the room was smiling. It was beautiful. At the end of their set, I overheard a very cute woman in the audience say, I wouldn’t want to be up after them.
Shield Your Eyes were up after them. Not quite my cup of tea, but on the plus side they seem to have a new bassist and she’s very impressive.