Sixty Million Postcards, Bournemouth
A balmy Thursday night in Bournemouth sees another must-see gig from the We Broke Free team, this time in the shape of Scottish Post/Punk(ers) ‘Baby Strange’. In keeping with their ethos, a local support are given the chance to warm up for the main event. Step forward to The Lonely Surf with a line-up that has pulled in a debutant to the fold. ‘Wave Chase’s George Kingman steps in on bass but otherwise, this band are the original line-up.
With the opener “Losing It” they set out their stall early doors. Dom (lead vox/acoustic guitar) layered vocals are a feature throughout, alongside the chiming chords from Matt (guitar/vox). George F (drums) keeps the beat in the engine room. Their early 90’s leanings evoke memories of bands like (to my ears) Teenage Fanclub.
Forget About It” stays in the same vein while “Too Drunk To Dream” is described as “a song about drinking”! As their set builds George’s snare bashing becomes more powerful but Matt’s chiming chords are the standout feature here, evoking some Post/Punk memories for this old duffer! Their stagecraft one might describe as unfussy, while their attire speaks more of the genre they are projecting; their songs however speak for themselves.
They also have the luxury of a generous Thursday night crowd, who have come in good numbers to support. They depart us on a number called “Lines” and exit the stage too long, loud applause. And I may have just discovered a new favourite (local) band?!
And so to the headliners. Baby Strange is making their Bournemouth debut and takes to the stage with little fuss. Sadly more than half the audience has gone, obviously here for The Lonely Surf only. Undaunted they launch into opener “Poor Old Me” which initially reminds me of a polished The Fall. This continues with ‘Beating in Time’ with huge snare thumping from Connaire (drums) and keeping it in the family, a throbbing bass from Aidan (bass). Johnny (vox/guitar) is a confident frontman, at times bellowing out the lyrics; occasionally the chiming guitars are a reminder of the mid-80s Post/Punk era. Johnny is a dead ringer for a young “Pete Bywaters” (Peter and the Test Tube Babies), but the similarities end there.
Baby Strange are (in my eyes) Post/Punk with a Dark/Wave flavour. The early single “Pure Evil” is anything but and an early highlight as they feel their way into the set. It slowly becomes a wall of sound and I’m reminded of Thumper who graced this very stage (pre-Lockdown).
Brief respite comes in the form of “Midnight” with its catchy chorus and rat-a-tat drumming. Just as I think it’s all becoming a tad samey they unleash the rather superb “Friend” with its whirring guitars, terrace anthem chorus and thudding bass. “Only Feel It When I’m With You” is altogether darker, again with that Mark E. Smith vocal slant. “I Feel So Cold (But it’s Warm Outside)” is disjointed with its chord shifts and changes – it’s that slow/fast formula but clearly deliberate. They save the best ’til last with recent single “More, More, More”. Shimmering guitars and immediate vocals, it’s catchy as hell. And that is pretty much that!
Ten years in the game and (so far) only one album in, one wonders how long they can keep it going. It’s a crowded genre so I guess it’s a case of rising above the competition. All the elements are in place and they are great on record, but I came to be impressed and left slightly underwhelmed. I wish them well…
Baby Strange
Poor Old Me
Beating In Time
Club Sabbath
Pure Evil
World Below
Under The Surface
There’s Something
Midnight
Over & Over
Friend
Only Feel It When I’m With You
I Feel So Cold (But It’s Warm Outside)
More! More! More!
Set-Lists
The Lonely Surf
Losing It
Forget About It
Too Drunk To Dream
Happiness
12 Months Out
Parties
Time Will Tell
Say What You Like
Lines
Videos
Links
https://www.babystrangeofficial.com
https://www.facebook.com/thelonelysurfband
Words by Ross A. Ferrone
Media by David Chinery (Chinners)
