We arrive in a blissful mood after a particularly enjoyable Iyengar yoga class, just in time to catch the last couple of songs of support band Public Body who have recently signed to Fat Cat. Missing most of their set is not a mistake SOURCE will make in future. New single ‘Break From Life’ brings their show to a rousing close.
TRAAMS’ set starts without any fanfare. One second equipment is being set up, the next they are playing a repeating two-chord refrain reminiscent of ZZ Top. Then guitarist Stuart Hopkins and bassist Leigh Padley face each other close together in a dance that makes one audience member crack a joke about Status Quo.
The whole crowd is soon grinning though as the chug of the opener; ‘Klaus’, taken from their 2013 debut ‘Grin’, ensnares everyone in its hypnotic groove in the key of A.
This is the boys from Bognor’s first headline show in Brighton since 2017 and the first night of a national tour, promoting new album ‘Personal Best’. It has been a long five years without them.
The guitar tones and harmony are as close to musical perfection as possible. There is no challenge or abrasion in this trance-like music. It takes the work of Neu! forwards into a more rhythmic direction, augmented by a love of Pavement and Fugazi.
The opening of ‘Dry’ reminds us of Spacemen 3’s ‘Revolution’, before locking into the second motorik groove of the night. Then the simple guitar part of ‘The Greyhound’ heralds the arrival of a pulsating monster.
Though TRAAMS are now a five piece, with additional guitars and keyboards, little has changed. Original drummer Adam Stock in on keys and guitar, with John Davis picking up the sticks. The new members add subtle additional harmonies, and there are some lovely female vocals from Liza Webster on tracks like ‘Breathe’ and ‘Sleeper’.
The music takes the internal glow of the back bends from the preceding yoga class and gives it an aural massage and cuddle. Meanwhile the people in the front row are throwing shapes like they are dancing to Andy Weatherall.
‘House On Fire’ brings the set to a spectacular finale. There is no between-song banter, beyond a quiet occasional thank you. There is no encore. There is just bliss. The world may be falling apart around us, but TRAAMS are back and they will make everyone feel better.
Patterns, Wednesday 12th October 2022
Words by Nick McAllister
Photos by Guy Christie
