When I saw BRITISH SEA POWER last October at Johnny Brenda’s, I was disappointed at the contrast between their scorching soundcheck (which I had the privilege of witnessing) and their set later on that evening, which (despite its energy) was ruined by the awful sound mix. Something was definitely off that night. Fortunately, the same cannot be said for their brief, but absolutely scorching set for WXPN’s Free at Noon concert series on this rainy Friday afternoon.
Focusing entirely on their excellent new album Do You Like Rock Music?, songs like “No Lucifer,” “Canvey Island” and the irressistible pro-immigration anthem “Waving Flags” sounded as if the band had found some setting for post-punk circa 1982 and brought it here twenty six years later. That isn’t to say that it felt like cheap nostalgia. Despite their obvious debts to DAVID BOWIE and especially 1980-1984 ECHO AND THE BUNNYMEN (and on one song, GANG OF FOUR), they still feel current. It also helped that despite some of the venue’s disadvantages (too high drink prices, mediocre, overpriced food, a somewhat sterile vibe) the sound is always absolutely pristine, which really brought their attack into focus.
Due to sheer exhaustion after a tough week at work, I missed their full set at Johnny Brenda’s later that night. However, this show (at least in part) made up for it. And furthermore, the above photo was taken by pneyu at the Johnny Brenda’s show and is used with permission.
