@ Summerhall, Edinburgh on Thu 2 Apr 2015
Wandering through the ominous corridors to arrive at The Dissection Room, this could easily be where the prom scene from Carrie was filmed. The second of Summerhall’s new gig series Nothing Ever Happens Here… features PAWS, WOMPS and Le Thug performing to an unenthusiastic Edinburgh crowd.
Starting things off are Le Thug from Glasgow and the Outer Hebrides, who describe themselves as an ambient noise band; a fitting description. Clio Alexandra MacLellan (vocals) spends most of the time staring at the floor with her hands in her pockets, making it difficult to decipher her words and creating a muffled sound. The drummer is the only band member who doesn’t look bored. All of the songs performed for Le Thug’s set have a similar style, with slow melodies and an occasional shock of synth sound. People trickle in and out of the venue throughout.
Things liven up as the audience increases for the second support band WOMPS, formerly known as Algernon Dolls. The feel of the set is like that of a great punk band playing in a local garage, only with slightly more sophistication. Grungier sounds are effectively balanced with the odd catchy melody, though sadly WOMPS do not back up this musical equilibrium with their stage presence, which is awkward, to say the least. The three piece from Glasgow are however one to watch; they’ve recently recorded an album in Chicago, and will be returning to hit the USA festival circuit next month.
Closing the night are PAWS, a Glasgow based band who are no strangers to the stage and perform at every opportunity across the UK, Europe, USA and Canada. They command attention from the first moment, and the Edinburgh crowd, who had previously nodded and clapped politely, are prodded to life. There is a crossfire of lively banter between crowd and band that, between songs, punctuates the pure punk-rock sound. A solid performance here, with great lyrics about booze and heartbreak.
Nothing Ever Happens Here… will be continuing year-round (with at least one Edinburgh based band on each bill) in The Dissection Room at Summmerhall, with tickets at £10. The next event will feature Minerva Scientifica as part of The Edinburgh International Science Festival on Wed 8 Apr.