Manchester, so much to answer for – what is it about Manc musicians that brings out the inner beery bloke in everyone, the f***ing “lads” etc? Think of Morrissey being hugged onstage by builders, New Order’s sensitve polyrhytmns being reduced to terrace chants… but I am being precious, aren’t I ducks, as the barmaid in Corrie probably still says.
Anyway, this moltenly hot evening sees Betty getting it in the Tuts from a bunch of professional Northerners. I had no particular preconceptions about this, assumed an evening of frettery and rumbling lines with a triple bass attack of three legendary Manc bolt-throwers with low slung instruments (like I say, I don’t know what attracted me). ‘ooky, *mani and #rourkey, all lads from God’s own city, although with Mark E Smith’s ex-missus now officially the most annoying woman on TV (taking over Ruby Wax’s irritating American loves it over here mantle) the city can probably do with some help, heaven forfend…in a bass-orientated combo, what could possibly go wrong, or worrong as they say in Salford (sorry, Ed. is this racist?).
No Rourkey though tonight, apparently “other touring commitments” (who with, the flipping “Smiths Indeed”?) have prevailed so no third bass – not quite sure where it would have fitted anyway though.
A five year old project according to Tut’s blurb (first EP featuring other Manc legends, though Wayne Rooney unavailable, washing his head that night apparently), the Freebass are about to release their first album; hence a bit of touring.
The venue, although not officially sold out, is absolutely rammed, and it’s an odd mixture of party animals (drawn by the track record of Messrs Mani and Ook presumably), Manc diehards from various eras judging by the T shirts, though no Crispy Ambulance ones, and curious onlookers, guest list appearing pretty large (Mani?), and a few bassists as well I guess.
Around 10.15 in searing conditions they came on, the two bassists assisted by a frontman (ex The Haven, who they?) and a fairly anonymous although good chops guitarist, drummer and keyboard/effects-ist.
First riff, oh it’s, oh what do you call it by New Order, no it’s slightly different, hmm – on this one what I had hoped did actually happen, i.e. the two styles of Mr M and Mr H augmented each other, one at the bottom end the other at the top of the old bass register. Quite promising really until the singer and other things turned it into something I think the Chameleons might have rejected as being a bit generic back in the day. This may sound a bit unfair but given the personnel involved there are high expectations; however, this tour is probably more like a busman’s holiday, with other things on hold just have a bit of a jam.
As the next few tracks unfolded (and I didn’t get all the names, any anoraks can look at NME news for their Manchester gig last night as I doubt if it was too much different in order) things settled into a fairly derivative pattern – bit of New Order/Joy Div here, bit of something a bit Roses there. The singer, a James McAvoy-esque frontman type with the obligatory skinny leather jacket, half beard and flashing eyes, looked a bit uncomfortable although the vocals were ok – just not great, but at least Mani was playing with a lead singer who can keep in tune for a change. May be that’s the key to why him and Ook are doing this.
Oddly for a bass-gig the sound was fairly muted and I have heard far more searing and effective bass at other gigs recently, so not really for the bassed-out.
The crowd throughout appeared to be transfixed by the fact that “Mani” was in their midst, and kept shouting at him. It went something like this: “MANI” : pause between songs: “MANI” : another pause: “MANI” etc. A very valuable and sophisticated transaction between fan and musician I think you will find, but maybe that is uncharitable, the man has held the frets (like Ook) in two fairly legendary bands and this is just people giving him his due…however, it is a bit painful to have to stand through.
I must admit that I took some time out during the middle of the set, downstairs there were some negative comments and Ook’s general understated presence led someone to refer to him as “the one that looks like a geography or techy drawing teacher” – oh dear, how the might have fallen indeed…
I wish I could be more positive but the other problem is the lyrics – no idea who wrote them, but in the last song (there was a half-hearted response when they went off and came back on for an encore) – “When she comes knocking will you run, into the arms of a suicide blonde” – a shameless humping between The Clash (ok, a cover) and INXS, this is a truly terrible line and Betty has taken out contracts for lesser crimes than this.
In conclusion, Freebass, more like Debase – keep it as a hobby in future and don’t inflict on the public unless you actually have a point.