Image by Kirstie Shanley
Glamorous punks the Long Blondes won't "drive you home"
May 24, 2008, at Logan Square Auditorium
By Britt Julious
Published: May 26th, 2008 | 11:29pm
Much like Saturday night at Logan Square Auditorium, the last time the Sheffield-based the Long Blondes played in Chicago — nearly a year ago — a small, yet enthusiastic crowd welcomed the spunky band. The audience ate up every song, whether old or new, as the band blended '60s harmonies with post-punk riffs.
The night began with a last-minute opening act, Drug Run. The group, rife with musical potential, wowed an audience that was more complacent that fervent earlier in the night. Their sound — combining everything from Janis Joplin–style yells to '90s-era grunge — didn't necessarily fit in with the rest of the evening, bit it still garnered nods of approval from the audience.
The Long Blondes began their set soon after. Peppy, shout-along song "Here Comes the Serious Bit" from the group's sophomore album Couples (Rough Trade) instantly rejuvenated the crowd. The group segued into other popular tunes, such as the campy "Weekend Without Makeup." The faster rhythms of the two songs inspired a faster interpretation of “Autonomy Boy,” an early single that is normally aggressive and down-tempo.
Like the first three songs, the group maintained an eclectic mix of newer and older material, primarily sticking to fan favorites. The execution of Couples' "Round the Hairpin" to a live setting was impressive, with lead singer Kate Jackson taking the time to build the numerous layers with a sound board and her own drum. "Every third or fourth show I drop a drumstick," she exclaimed after a near-flawless rendition of the song.
For the most part, everyone seemed most engaged with the earlier material. Although the bulk of the songs blended seamlessly together, newer choices, such as Couples' "Century" and "Too Clever By Half," seemed out of place with the generally quick-paced choices from Someone to Drive You Home (Rough Trade).
Other crowd pleasers, such as life–lesson–turned–pop–hit "Once and Never Again" and "Giddy Stratospheres," had audience members (including a gaggle of teenage girls) singing and dancing as Jackson, much like the group's gig from a year ago, commanded the stage like a pro. It was clear to see the audience as enamored with the singer as the band was with their joyful material.
"Lust in the Movies," a short and sweet tune about famed '60s icons such as Edie Sedgwick and Anna Karina that's not often performed live, closed out the night with much fanfare. The song proved to be a perfect amalgamation of the sounds and energy that have thus far defined the Long Blondes in England as well as abroad. Full of life and energy, the audience and band members sang together, clapping hands and dancing across the room, to make for a lively and engaging evening.
Issue #35
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