It’s not for the cock, it’s for the life affirming kick

The Mae Shi/ Abe Vigoda/ Tubelord @ Barden’s Boudoir 12/5/2009

Although from the outside Barden’s Boudoir looks like a crack den that even crack heads find too disgusting, inside this is a cosy little venue and perfect for such a stellar line up. 

First on, and playing to a respectably sized crowd, are Kingston’s Tubelord. The trio shift seamlessly throughout the set from jerky, heavy guitar parts to soaring crescendos via soft, sweeping break downs laced with delicate vocal parts. They are interesting and evocative, proving that propping up the bill is not something they should be doing for much longer.

Next on are LA dwelling Mae Shi mates, Abe Vigoda. Taking “lo-fi” to a new extreme, they rocket about the stage, clearly having what must almost be the time of their lives. Around the room, though, members of the audience can be seen taking the occasional cheeky look at their watches and getting a quick pint before the main band. What should have been a barn storming set to challenge the headliners was, although by no means awful, something of a limp and stale effort.

Finally taking to the basement, strip club-esque venue are The Mae Shi. Launching instantly into their jerky, unique blend of rock, punk and pop, the section of the crowd down at the front simultaneously begin to rocket off one another in a smiley, sweaty celebratory mosh.

The band play through their 2008 album “HLLLYH” but it is the more accessible moments that get the biggest cheers of the night. “Lamb and Lion”, for example, sees the band on the lip of the stage shouting out in joy as a sea of arms is raised into the air and an ecstatic chorus meets every word.

The Mae Shi, live, are a strange yet mouth watering prospect. They take elements of hardcore punk and often lace it with pretty bleak and thought provoking imagery. However, as they leap into the crowd, swap microphones, collapse into a pile and eagerly bounce about in the faces of the front row, it is all done with the overwhelming air of celebration and fun.

The pinnacle of this comes when the band spread a huge parachute over the audience- something that is familiar to anyone who has seen the Mae Shi before. During this near euphoric moment of sweaty confusion, band members suddenly appear in the thick of the crowd and punters jump up and down giddily under the massive piece of material.

After the poorest pretence of going off stage before an encore ever (the whole “this is the end of the set” becomes slightly unconvincing when the band just huddle together on stage by the bass amp), the Mae Shi return and begin “sshhh”ing together before breaking out into the rip roaring “7XX7”. Fists punch the air, bodies slam against other bodies and, gradually, the stage fills up with sweaty fans eager to sing with, hug and fall about with the members of the Mae Shi.

It’s an appropriately messy climax to a brilliant gig which feels like an aggressive punch to the ribs, yet one which makes you feel so much better about life for it.

The Mae Shi- Heartbeeps