Type and hit ENTER

Commonly used tags...

Brighton Festival Brighton Fringe Brighton Pride British Sea Power Cinecity Lewes Psychedelic Festival Locally Sourced Lost & Found Love Supreme Festival Mutations Festival Nick Cave Poets Vs MCs Politics Rag'n'Bone Man Record Store Day Save Our Venues Six Of The Best Source Virgins Streets Of Brighton Street Source Tattoos The Great Escape Tru Thoughts Unsung Heroes
  • Home
  • News
  • Previews
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Food
  • Tickets
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Advertise
  • Home
  • News
  • Previews
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Food
  • Tickets
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Advertise
Reviews

Jar of Blind Flies Review

Feb 25, 2022
-
Posted by Zac Colbert

Jar of Blind Flies have been quiet these past couple of years. But ya know, so has the world. Like a lot of the scene during the pandemic, without gigs and festivals to play, the trio have been busy little agoraphobes. They’ve used the time to write new material as well as hone some of the old bangers, working on their debut album and gearing up for its release.

So it’s promising to see how well their set goes down with the crowd at the Green Door Store tonight. Opening with ‘Playground King’ – one of the grunge band’s more chart-friendly singles with its anthemic chorus – immediately grabs people’s attention.

‘Black Fish Brain’ is the calm before the storm and then ‘Dolly’ screeches into being. One of their first tracks and still going strong, it showcases frontwoman Maddy Jarvis’ talent for lyrics. “Skin burns like plastic in the heat,” reigns overhead and the fuzzy distortion is perfectly complemented by her yearning vocals and the relentless, driving drums.

It’s always a good sign when the drummer disrobes and Marley Perez doesn’t disappoint as JOBF break into ‘Crawl Back Inside’ and he starts wailing on the skins. The tempo and tsunami of sound inspire the crowd at the front to start moshing while the rest of the audience is a sea of undulating heads and throbbing shoulders.

When the guitar is put down it’s a hint that something different is coming. ‘Angels’ is the penultimate track and, unencumbered by an instrument, Maddy can really let her lungs fly. And she makes a hell of a lot of noise for such a little creature. Her powerful vocals are bordering on operatic and glue the audience to the Green Door’s cobbled floor as bassist – the dark magician Marlon ‘Doctor’ Payne – stretches his fingers with some ethereal harmonics.

They close the set with ‘Far From Land’, which promises to be an album highlight and worthy of repeat plays with the lyrics’ emotive imagery and the suspenseful beat that builds to a raw climax. Despite much clamour from the crowd, JOBF don’t play an encore, leaving us hungry for more. Fair enough. Let’s just hope the album drops soon.

Green Door Store, Thursday 24th February 2022
Photos by Francesca Moore

Feb 25, 2022
Email
Zac Colbert
Zac Colbert was the SOURCE clubs editor and since 2008 he has reviewed local nights as much as headline DJs, covering acts like Mosca, Fake Blood and Kele Okereke. His writing has featured in publications such as AdBusters, Philosophy Now and Tantrum Magazine.
← PREVIOUS POST
Meet YDN Radio: a new Brighton station supporting local music
NEXT POST →
Love Supreme Festival 2022 new announcement
Mailing List

Recent Posts
  • Cluedo Preview
    May 26, 2022

    Cluedo promises murder with its mystery as the board-game-turned-film-turned-stage-show lands at Theatre Royal Brighton for its next turn.

  • Comedy of Errors Fringe
    May 26, 2022

    Cut down version of Shakespeare's comedy of misrecognition, disguise and farce. Three performers with manic hat changes and cool banjo.

  • The Great Escape 2022 Review (Sat)
    May 21, 2022

    We saw a wealth of international talent at The Great Escape, but on the final day two bands from Brighton stole the show.

  • Accidental Birth of an Anarchist
    May 18, 2022

    Activists protesting against fossil fuels occupy an oil rig in this exciting collaboration between Unmasked Theatre and artists' collective Rising Tides.

  • Jacob Collier, Thursday 16th June
    May 18, 2022

    The multi Grammy-winning singer and multi-instrumentalist brings his worldwide 'Djesse' tour to Brighton Dome.

  • The Great Escape 2022 Review (Fri)
    May 18, 2022

    More bands, more reviews. Friday's festival was a heady mix of Turkish techno, gothic indie, Japanese folk, jazz punk and grime metal.

  • Gregory Porter Review
    May 17, 2022

    Gregory Porter was back in town, ahead of his headline slot at Love Supreme, with an excellent, expanded band and a totally amazing opening act.

  • The Great Escape 2022 Review (Thur)
    May 16, 2022

    The Great Escape made a triumphant return with three days of musical mayhem across the city. Here's a round-up of two dozen acts we caught on Thursday.

Website developed in Brighton by Infobo
Copyright © Brighton Source 2009-2021
Jar of Blind Flies Review - Brighton Source