Whereas ambition may be a dirty word for some, Bjorn & Erik Sandberg’s have proven that genuine passion can go a long way, with their fledgling label having put out one of the best singles released this year in Endor’s Hold On, as well as a lush album from Bela. And with the identical twins’ own band Wake the President being chosen as Electric Honey’s band for the coming year (as any self-respecting Jock Rocker will already know), they have plenty of reasons to celebrate tonight. It’s an ambitious choice of venue too, but they manage to draw a respectable crowd to the Classic Grand, especially considering the once God-like Morrissey was peddling his distinctly lacklustre latest album over at the soulless SECC on the same night.
Ross Clarke is a likeable performer of a remarkably young age considering his talent, looking and sounding like Bright Eyes trapped in Buddy Holly’s body. Although most of the crowd have not yet arrived, he joins those that have out on the floor for his final song – entertaining stuff. He’s followed by Icelandic atmospherics from Bela and friends, whose gorgeous guitar playing is described by my girlfriend as ‘”rolling hills music” and I agree that it evokes wide-open spaces and train journeys through the countryside. Next up are Room To Let, whose funky Bloc Party-esque style is more mainstream than the rest of tonight’s bill, but makes a perfect contrast to the more laid-back Bela.
Wake the President now take the stage, with Erik admitting he is slightly the worse for wear, then giving a slightly unhinged but highly entertaining performance. Great tunes like ‘All The Blonde Girls’ more than do justice to the band’s impeccable influences such as Orange Juice and Belle & Sebastian. Finally, Endor may look like an unlikely bunch but their ability to write genius, instantly memorable songs cannot be argued with – if Fly Straight and Better-Smarter are anything to go by their debut album is going to be something special. Unsurprisingly Hold On is already a bonafide live classic which prompts a stage invasion by the entire Say Dirty crew and assorted friends who then join in with the band for a mass singalong.