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FEELS GOOD TO BE LIVE Glee-ful young rock kids break out of Mumbai ●●●●● This fresh-faced young seven-piece from Mumbai (who call themselves Something Relevant and have named their show after the title of their debut album) look and sound like they graduated from an Indian version of Glee. There’s an unmistakable air of School of Rock about these boys, all of who, (on singer, sax, guitars, keyboard, drums and percussion) are capable musicians. And their energy and enthusiasm proves to be infectious, as the crowd leap to their feet and accept an invitation to invade the stage.
The set’s a fusion of rock, pop, funk, blues, reggae, soul and hip hop. Initially it feels like they band are working through a music textbook, but as the gig progresses extended jams mash everything up and they settle into their own sound with songs about, variously, the recent legalisation
Music
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of homosexuality in Indian and traffic jams in its capital. It’s conventional stuff and the happy-clappy atmosphere may not be to everyone’s taste. But it’s hard not to admire the youthful exuberance of Something Relevant, who are a big hit a home and who have been endorsed by rock bible Rolling Stone. (Miles Fielder) ■ New Town Theatre, 220 0143, until 30 Aug (not 10, 16, 23), 10.30pm, £11–12 (£8–10). for GLASGOW MUSIC see page 123
THE TIGER LILLIES Sideshow inspired death-gypsy tunes ●●●●●
The Tiger Lillies are probably one of only a few proponents of the ‘Death Oompah’ genre. Frontman Martyn Jacques comes to the stage adorned with thick harlequin war paint and armed with songs of murderous circus freaks and decrepit prostitutes, sung in either an operatic falsetto or a grisly growl. He’s accompanied by a variety of unconventional instruments: the theremin and musical saw both make appearances, as do the accordion and ukulele. The band have previously been involved in the writing
and staging of operas, which could be considered a
fitting medium for the material. They are deprived of such context in a bare-bones live show, though, and the songs come across as repetitive and unfunny, with themes generally restricted to anal sex and drunkenness. It’s the sort of stuff dreamt up by bored 15-year-old boys with an over-fondness for The League of Gentlemen. The instrument and make-up gimmicks soon wear thin under such material, and while Jacques proudly boasts that his songs may be offensive, this tends to be an issue with quality rather than content. (Niki Boyle) ■ Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, until Sat 21 Aug, 9.45pm, £14–£15 (£12.50–£14).
12–19 Aug 2010 THE LIST 67