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

Octopuses Review

Dec 23, 2014
-
Posted by Ben Bailey

On the pavement outside Marwoods there’s a big chalk mural announcing the gig’s running order – and various pictures of sea creatures in Santa hats. This actually succeeds at drawing in some of the passing Friday night punters, even if they don’t all stick around. We’d hazard a guess that not everyone was prepared for the jubilant oddity that lay within. Whereas some bands make a point of letting their hair down for a fun and frivolous festive gig, Brighton’s Octopuses are usually f’ing it up most of the year round. Besides, the hair in this band is mostly face-based.

First, though, we get a muted but otherwise convincing support slot from James Kemp And The Willing Gales. The limited PA set-up can’t quite cope with the demands of the band’s seven-piece line-up, and the unamplified sax players (for there are indeed two of them) threaten to smother the lead vocal and violin parts. We learn that the band actually has an eighth member, a cellist, whose excuse for being absent is the most glamorous we’ve heard in a while: they’re doing a panto in Hull. Despite all this, the Willing Gales’ set shows real promise, especially given that their first gig was only six months ago. Working with a mix of gypsy theatrics and Belle & Sebastian style storytelling, the folk troupe have already got at least two genuine hits under their hats – not counting their jazzed-up major key version of ‘Walking In The Air’.

Octopuses have barely got going when frontman Adam Bell begins berating the guitarist for cocking up the first number. “It’s the Santa beard,” the latter protests. “I can’t see what I’m doing!” Always endearing and sometimes shambolic, Octopuses combine lo-fi keyboard hooks with neatly interlocking guitar parts and carefree Pavement-esque earworms. Though the band includes two former members of twee-prog trio Foxes!, you might not spot the connection were it not for the offbeat humour of the songs. Poised between goofy irreverence (“Come and have a go on my bouncy castle…”) and sardonic irony (“I don’t want to hurt you, I just want to make you cry…”), Bell’s lyrics are nonetheless delivered straightfaced – a good foil for the bizarre semi-rapped interludes of second singer Tom Matthews.

Towards the end of the set we’re promised a medley, but two chords in they change their mind and instead play a newly-penned seasonal song which comes off as surprisingly sincere, despite the cocaine metaphors. Then we get ‘Cool Story Bro’, the band’s most coherent song to date, an electro pop ditty with a proper groove and a repeat chorus that brings the marine theme full circle with its “bottom of the ocean” refrain. In lieu of defining Octopuses’ charm, let’s just call it fun.

Upstairs at Marwood Coffee Shop, Friday 19th December 2014
Words by Ben Bailey
Photo by Laurence Dean

(Octopuses’ next Brighton show is at Hanover Community Centre at 1pm on New Year’s Day. As in January the 1st. Good luck with that one.)

Dec 23, 2014
Email
Ben Bailey
Ben Bailey is the editor of Brighton Source and a freelance writer. He also plays in a few bands and can sometimes be found giving talks on a variety of niche topics. He lives in Brighton and rather likes it.
← PREVIOUS POST
Fvnerals Review
NEXT POST →
Sharon Van Etten Review
Mailing List

Recent Posts
  • This Is The Modern World Exhibition
    Aug 5, 2022

    Paul Weller's sister has curated a unique exhibition of Jam and Style Council artefacts and memorabilia alongside a season of related gigs and events.

  • Yama Warashi performing at the Rosehill, Brighton
    Yama Warashi Review
    Jul 28, 2022

    Melting Vinyl presented Yama Warashi and Brighton's ChopChop for an oddly pleasing evening of sonic, organic, woven spells.

  • Love Supreme Festival 2022 Review
    Jul 6, 2022

    Love Supreme returned, bigger and better than ever. The sun shone and the music dazzled across a perfect weekend.

  • Slap Rash
    Ruinfest Review
    Jul 5, 2022

    Ruinfest brought together some of Brighton's best bands and a few killer out-of-towners for an intense all-dayer at the Hope & Ruin at the end of June.

  • Tears For Fears, Fri 22nd July
    Jul 5, 2022

    The 80s pop duo perform at Hove Cricket Ground to showcase their long-awaited new album alongside a run of classic hits.

  • Leon Bridges Review
    Jun 28, 2022

    The Texas-based soul singer brought his hits to Brighton and also introduced a future star with his opening act.

  • Waitress comes to Theatre Royal
    Jun 27, 2022

    Star of the show Chelsea Halfpenny talks us through the pop-infused pie-baking musical's time on the road ahead of its visit to the Theatre Royal.

  • Morrissey, Friday 14th October
    Jun 27, 2022

    Morrissey is back in Brighton with a new, as yet, unreleased album and a bulging back catalogue to round off a nine-day UK tour.

Website developed in Brighton by Infobo
Copyright © Brighton Source 2009-2021
Octopuses Review - Brighton Source