Droptear Modelmaker and Wobbly Squadron gig review
A review of Droptear Modelmaker and Wobbly Squadron who performed at The Hobgoblin, Brighton on Friday March 30th 2008.
Droptear Modelmaker
Who are Droptear Modelmaker?
Droptear Modelmaker are a Brighton based band who blend a post rock guitar based sound with electronic jazz, and sound a little like Jaga Jazzist and Groove Armada.
I have seen this band twice already over the last few months, most recently this week. The first time I saw them there was just two of them and aside from a trumpet they were purely electronic. Now their numbers have expanded to 6, and they have added a singer, 2 guitarists and a drummer.
The band now have a very full live sound, which alternates between very heavy, almost blistering guitar based rock, and lighter jazz noodlings courtesy of the centre stage trumpet. On a couple of tracks a female vocalist comes into the fore, with gospel like vocals – more noises than lyrics – twinned with heavier music. For some reason the Australian goth indie band Howling Bells sprang to mind during these 2 songs, and thats certainly no bad thing.
The music
Throughout the performance there were points where the music ticked the buttons – guitars building up to just the right point, the music going exactly the way you want it. Conversely, there were still some surprises, such as the point where everything built up to…a trumpet solo. Its certainly not something you hear everyday.
4/5
Performance
Lots of enthusiasm and movement onstage, no banter nor pauses between songs, as expected of a support act
4/5
Sound
After a few initial issues, swiftly dealt with, the sound ended up pretty much perfect for a venue of this size
4/5
The audience
Everyone seemed to be into the band and very receptive to what was going on. There was happily very little chit chat going on for this time of the evening
4/5
Overall
Droptear Modelmaker seem to be developing every time I see them, and that made this performance particularly exciting. It feels like this band could really go somewhere, and whilst they still have a way to go, the work in progress is certainly one I would love to see more of.
4/5
Wobbly Squadron
Wobbly squadron are a psychedelic funk band, the kind of the thing you might find at 2AM at Glastonbury in a tent off at Lost Vagueness or in the green fields. Very much a festival band, this 5 piece wear no shoes, have Indian Goa style backdrops, dreads and bongos. There are no vocals aside from a little chanting, but there is a flute, saxaphone, clarinet and lots of funky bass.
Music
The music is very good and fun, although after a while can get a little repetitive if your not in the mood. It would be ideal in a festival after enjoying some perfectly legal herbal highs, but the full effect is slightly lessened by the confines of a pub. Something you have to be in the mood for, but if you are, you will love it.
4/5
Performance
A superb performance with lots of effort put into the psychedelic clothes, backdrops and visual effects – they even had a little green laser darting around. Boundless enthusiasm from the people onstage, with lots of calls to ‘get wobbly’ to the people still sitting in the neighbouring bar.
4/5
Sound
Sound quality was superb, for a pub this size its a wonder it wasn’t muddy and incomprehensible.
5/5
The audience
The audience, although I’m told were small considering this bands popularity, were very enthusiastic. There was a good number of people dancing and a great atmosphere.
5/5
Overall
This band managed the rarest of things, to transport you to somewhere else – in my case, a field at Glastonbury in 2001, and for anyone who was out and about in the 1990’s this will be something of a trip through time. If your 25 – 35 you are going to love this, and indeed if your younger you probably will too. I would definitely see this band again, and take people along with me, perfect for a Friday night.
4/5
the sax player was my sax teacher! she is a legend