They may take their name from the patron saint of lost causes, but reports of St Judes’ demise are premature.
However, while their reconvening after a seven-year hiatus may have come as a surprise, it’s also an opportunity for acquaintances to be rekindled as fans of the band show up at a packed Sneaky Pete’s – both in bar, and on stage.
Opening are, as it turns out, familiar faces form the local scene – half of shoegaze combo Wozniak, the third part of the ‘Trio’ made up by a projected Allen Ginsberg, centre stage and providing vocals. Very much doing what it says on the poster, the beat poet gets a sub-15-minute accompaniment of twin guitars – strummed, thrashed and finally distorted to within an inch of their lives.
Somewhat quieter is / are Hamish Hawk. Backed by his ‘New Outfit’, Hamish is apparently a veteran of St Judes shows since he was a teenager. However, any thoughts that this relationship has got him the gig should be immediately dispelled.
With Hawk’s engaging presence and a fun live band, the five musicians channel the likes of Bowie and Byrne, throwing in a couple of uptempo, almost Pogues-ish numbers, and the frontman’s youthful exuberance recalls Saint Max a little. But the high point is a real showstopper – just Hawk and guitar, a simple tale of his youth living up a cul-de-sac quietens Sneaky’s to pin-drop silence, even silencing the clatter of empties at the bar and long-lost friends swapping stories.
Which contrasts somewhat to St. Judes’ set. Opening with a bit of a bang with new tune ‘Scottish Blood’, followed by oldie ‘Tap o’ Laurieston’, they are well and truly back (unlike the titular pub). Now down to three original members, the sweet harmonies of Emma-Jane and Ashley and Grant’s grumbling bass are now augmented by former 55s man Elvis Valentine, who does an admirable job of recreating the emigrated Mark Francis’ vocal.
The band seem to have had a Spinal Tap-esque selection of drummers but now it’s long-term manager Jamie on the stool, who navigates the band through a selection of oldies and a handful of brand new tunes, being worked on for recording in January. But it’s old favourites – the noisily brooding ‘Tacoma Radar’, then the mesmerising ‘Church of John Coltraine’ which inevitably bring the greatest cheers.
And finally, just so we know they’ve not changed that much, ‘All My Rowdy Friends’ now sees Emma-Jame and Grant swap positions for the latter’s closing spoken-word ramble and descent into sonic chaos – a fitting end to a vintage set. Indeed, it’s just like they’d never been away.