The Gay Blades – Dingwalls, Camden 24/02/09

02 March 2009, 16:48 | Written by Lauren Down

(Live)

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Photographs by Sonny Malhotra

After a late start and a mediocre performance from opening synth-pop act Capital, Camden Dingwalls on a Tuesday night seems to attract the bare minimum of toe-tappers; the window shoppers of the musical world. However, a set later The Gay Blades take to the stage and blow them completely out of the water as they whip the crowd into a musical frenzy. Hailing from New Jersey, their unique blend of glamorous indie and good old-fashioned ruckus rock n’ roll has everyone from here to the NME reaching for their dancing boots.

Currently kicking up a storm in the UK, duo Puppy Mills and Clark Westfield waste no time tonight in proving what all the fuss is about: “We’re from New York. And we’re hear to fuck you up” Clark screams before launching into a swaggering setlist that includes heartfelt ‘NHDN.’ Clark’s vocals quiver and crackle against the timid guitar strums as they build with the pounding drums into a trashy pop rhythm which seems to take inspiration straight from the likes of David Bowie and Freddy Mercury. The slightly ridiculous, camp glam-rock nature of The Gay Blades is nothing short of mesmerising, and so is their stage presence as Clark struts back and forth like he is playing to an arena of thousands. The Gay Blades also do heavier, rockier melodies in songs like ‘Mean Muses’ and ‘Hey She Say’ but they still retain their catchy-indie hooks. The choppy whispered lyrics of “Hey She Say’ and the dance-inducing percussion are pitted against screaming vocals and the reverb of muted guitar riffs. The ferociously raw energy of forthcoming single, ‘O Shot‘ is undoubtedly the crowd favourite, as Clark’s howling vocals have that all-important American twang to accompany the destructive sensibility of the sassy guitar riff and mercilessly thrashed drum kit. Although, after tonight new favourites are undoubtedly forming in the minds of the audience, such as the crashing, rocking epic ‘Bob Dylan’s 115th Nightmare.’

One of the most refreshing things about The Gay Blades is that every song has something different in the mix and by the end of the night it is clear they have even managed to upstage headliners, The Spinto Band. Keeping it short and sweet, Puppy and Clark certainly left the crowd buzzing and wanting more; hopefully it won’t be too long until they return to our shores.