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Simplicity is often a winning component in a brutish rock
machine, something not lost on stripped-back aggressors, Little Fish. This
Oxford duo (trio if you count the cameo key player) had the awkward task this
evening, of warming up one of Britain’s best-loved pop acts, Blondie. It was
probably a coy choice that another pop act wasn’t chosen to share the same
stage then, as naturally, Blondie would’ve make them look a little amateurish.
Luckily, Little Fish take a hard line approach to their
music, employing the grit a gall of Hole and the over-exposed rawness of PJ
Harvey. Despite these reference points, Little Fish refrain from becoming a
feminist activist group and simply plough though a solid set of catchy lo-fi
rock. The huge, operatic setting of the Apollo Theatre probably negated some of
the immediacy usually coupled with this type of sound, but to suggest these
guys were a little fish in a big pond would be a gross injustice. ‘Darling Dear’
and ‘Am I Crazy’ render Little Fish a fearsome predator (a piranha if you will)
armed with an infectious and ballsy breed of Americana, which might just have
smaller venues by the short and curlies over the coming months.
When you reach the dizzy heights of fame and remain there
for a few decades, it must be so easy to jeopardise core elements that
allowed this prominence with gargantuan stage shows and other such non-music
related nonsense. It was refreshing then, to see Blondie untainted and recognisable
tonight, as they remained true to the hybrid pop / punk sound and ehtos that had garnered
them so much support decades ago.
Early crowd-pleasers such as comeback anthem ‘Maria’ are
flanked by newer material, which is equally as accomplished despite not receiving
the same reaction. Sadly, there’s some doubt as to whether these latest
offerings will ever see the light of day. “If we ever get the next album
released, it’ll be a fucking miracle,” explains Harry, still sporting a brazen
attitude.
At 64, one could be forgiven for expecting a slight demise
in Ms Harry’s vocal capability, but she’s still as powerful and accurate as
ever. And when she talks, that hypnotic sassiness turns a diverse audience into
gawping puppets. Granted, Harry is not the sprightliest anymore and does a mean
impression of an inebriated mother at a wedding, but this only adds to her
charm.
Despite nearly being eligible for a free bus pass, Harry and
co play for a solid 90 minutes and after supplying classics such as, ‘Call Me’,
‘Hanging On The Telephone’ and ‘Atomic’, the New Yorkers end with ‘Heart Of
Glass’ and in a tantalizing display of affection, Harry blows a kiss to the
audience and exits stage right. TAGS: Blondie, Little Fish Words by: Simon S Wright Links:
Blondie - Website
Little Fish - Myspace |
