Forge treks over the Pennines to find an unassuming duo play a snug venue that might just about be worth the trip.
The intimate music hall at Manchester’s The Deaf Institute is bursting at the seams. The crowd is eagerly awaiting an appearance from No Age, the Los Angeles band currently on a whistle-stop tour of Europe to promote their recent Losing Feeling EP.
The venue’s vintage décor certainly makes support act The Drums look at home – they are said to be influenced by fifties surf culture – but something about their act fails to convince. Whistling, finger-clicking and titles such as ‘Let’s Go Surfing’ ensure that their songs are catchy enough, yet the four haircuts look utterly bored throughout the set. The singer flails his arms in a manner reminiscent of the late Ian Curtis, only without the passion. It all feels a little forced.
No such problems for No Age. The two unassuming Californians are entirely unpretentious, taking to the stage armed only with a guitar and a drum kit. This is no minimalistic White Stripes affair though; for a two-piece they manage to produce an unbelievable amount of noise. Spunt’s uncomplicated drumming and atonal vocals are just about audible underneath Randall’s blanket of trebly fuzz. On the train journey home, their more melodic moments remain caught in my mind, the fuzz now replaced by a ringing in my ears.
In an age where once credible acts increasingly seek a more commercial and overproduced sound (stand up, Kings of Leon), the band’s attitude is refreshing. As long as they get a few Mancunian kids clumsily jumping around, they’ll leave smiling. And kids they were, as the band is committed to making live music available to younger audiences. Venues and promoters elsewhere might consider taking a leaf out of the No Age book – almost as refreshing as the music itself was the youthful enthusiasm of the crowd, something often lost here in Sheffield.
The Now Wave club night is on every Wednesday at The Deaf Institute. With acts such as Wavves and Battles both performing in the next month the trip across the Peaks is definitely one worth making. I recommend the local Trof Cider.