Reviews

Alternative Carpark

Alternative Car Park return to Porter to play one of their famous acoustic sets. Having seen their last acoustic set and also their electric set in Moles I was looking forward to seeing them again and reviewing their gig. They were in great form as always, especially their ever charismatic frontman who was wearing the same dark blazer as last time. His vocals were spot on throughout and one was really aware of the high group energy that was being produced onstage and radiating outwards. It almost came across as being expertly controlled but I think this is because they are simply great musicians and a very tight band. They began with 'Bad News' backed by a slick drum beat and some great swaying from the shaggy haired bassist. 'Red Rust' was second lead by a cool country riff that got more intense before blossoming into a fast groove. A fantastic cover of 'Bullet With Butterfly Wings' by The Smashing Pumpkins was third. As a pumpkins fan myself I thought they more than did it!  justice. The frontman had no probs with the higher vocals parts and he put everything into the shouting bits. It contained a funky middle part and again contained some great drum rolls. It was dedicated to an audience member whos birthday it was. Happy Birthday Cecilia!! 'Grant My Wish' followed with another groovy riff and then a slow picked number which highlighted the frontmans deep and highly recognizable voice as he sang about an "absence of lies". The alternative country feel that they are so good at getting across in these acoustic gigs was demonstrated on the next song as the frontman sang "sometimes a man has to fight for what he believes" and "now their dragging me back with my head in a sack". They finished their first set with a catchy number containing shouts of "Yeah! Yeah!" in between the lyrics.

Another very interesting musician played during the intermission and I have no idea who he is! He was a blond, somewhat frail guy who sat on stage with his acoustic and no introduction and began by playing about a 5 minute instrumental of meloncholic guitar music. He then stood up and began singing. He was American and sang some brilliant alt.country songs also with a highly distinguishable gentle and light voice. The first song contained the words "tell the gossipers and liers I will see them in the fire". This led into a quietly picked song with the words "let the midnight special shine its light on me". The drummer from alternative car park joined for the next song which contained some great light falsetto vocals before the singer sat down again and did another short instrumental. He then finished with a song that went "round and round your city, round and round your town, I never see a face I know because I go round and round". A charming and intriguing performer.

Porter was really filling up now having been very empty when ACP first began. The frontman and lead guitarist opened their second set with a John Martyn cover. It showed how dynamic the frontmans voice asctually is in that he can make it fit with a host of different styles. A mellow one was second with the words "sometimes it gets too silent, sometimes it gets too still" before the beat picked up. Two fast and intense tracks were played third and fourth before we got two songs that I certainly remembered. The first has a great headbanging rhythm as the frontman sings about "Buckshot Billy" not caring! The other one I remembered for the lyric "napalm every promised land" and some great crowd interestion. They finished their set with another brilliant cover of 'Sympathy For The Devil' by The Rolling Stones. It had more of a country vibe than the original but they built it up to a great climax and the frontman really went to town with his vocals. All together another great perf! ormance. Although they are equally as good when they are playing their heavy electric sets there is something special about these acoustic gigs. They really highlight the fact that these guys arn't just a bunch of headbangers. Their bloody good musicians and performers who are capable of playing a variety of styles while still maintaining their own individual vibe throughout. I'll be there for the next one guys!

Ed Hutchinson