Tuesday, September 19, 2006
A Song Too Dreary To Be Sung
The Low Miffs are Scotland's best new band. Well, it isn't The View anyway, because the world doesn't need more pop-punk Libertines clones. The world quite possibly needs the Low Miffs; they are intelligent, awkward, intense and theatrical. They also played their second and third London shows last weekend. I managed to catch them at the Barfly on Friday, before flying home to Edinburgh where I am for a week of no gigs and seeing friends. The night was a Drowned in Sound club night, which was thoroughly mediocre but for the Low Miffs appearance.
The Glasgow-based five piece took to the stage shortly before midnight, immediately drawing the unfamiliar crowd forward with their opening song. Their singer, Leo Condie, an ex-classmate of mine from school in Edinburgh, is an enthralling performer. He, most importantly, posesses a strong and unique voice that swoons along with feeling, but captivates the audience like very few frontmen with his cocky, cabaret-esque strut. These performances have lead them to be described as in keeping with the traditions of Brechtian theatre and, though Leo cites Brecht as a favourite writer of his, it is not so definitive an aspect of their essence as it is for The Dresden Dolls. I wait for NME to hail the rise of the New-Brechtian movement when New Rave goes tits up.
The Low Miffs have got two singles coming out in the coming months, Also Sprach Shareholder on White Heat Records and Early Grey/ This Is The New on Art Goes Pop. The two 7"s will be sure to set dancefloors alight over the country, setting up t'Miffs for the same kind of cult-following The Long Blondes secured with early classics like Giddy Stratospheres and Once And Never Again. The songs on their MySpace speak for themselves really. Don't delay. The Low Miffs are playing lots of shows this autumn, don't miss them.
posted by Unknown at 9/19/2006 01:18:00 am
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