A previous encounter with Ming Ming & The Ching Chings found me laying the blame for underwhelm-ment at the feet of a very dodgy sound. How glad I am of that, as it means not having to eat my words now. Seeming like the Tuts house abnd seems to have worked in their favour tonight with the soundman gifting them a better mix than the headliners get.
Last time I had them down as a garage-fueled funk. With the high fidelity, it’s a little less of the garage. But, they still funk. It’s that jaggy Devo type of the stuff. Played with a level of brio that puts us in mind of Franz, but with bigger choruses , less hooks and a serious rocket up their ass. It’s good stuff.
Every Future Of The Left gig is a must. In their short life, they’ve produced two studio albums with a compexity belied by their shouty exterior. The opening four songs tonight are a teeth rattling statement of intent. Battered through at nosebleed speed. We’ve got the biggest bouncing crowd of dedicated FotL fans yet. They relax into the usual crowd goading banter. And rock.
So, what’s wrong with tonight? (Other than a slightly dodgy sound – whatever happened to Tuts?) Nothing, really. It’s great. Yet, lacking. We’ve wracked my brains on this and can’t justify the sense that something just isn’t working as it really should.
Familairity breeds contempt?
Oh, they’re dismantling the drum kit again. Hurry up.