Unkle
Subaudible Hum
Turning up a bit late, locals Subaudible Hum’s got a pretty healthy crowd checking them out. straight forward hard-ish intense rock with three guitars up front. Nicely done.
Once upon a time, before the first album, Unkle was a mellow, chilled out hip hop beat thing, then there was DJ Shadow and Psyence Fiction, followed by the under appreciated shift to a more electronic sound with Forme/Richard File. And now we have Unkle as the dirty great big future blues rock band? Gotta love a band that keeps you guessing, keeps you on your toes.
There was a surprisingly large audience tonight, didn’t realise Unkle was so popular. I wonder who these people are? Mo’wax heads to Queen of the Stone Age fans?
James Lavelle stationed behind a desk full of decks and samplers, a keyboard off to the side, drums, and serveral guitars. There was a rotating roster of musos, coming on and off as necessary, including Gavin Clark on the mic. The anonymous musos and James also having a go with some of the vocals, while tunes like "Reign” and "Mayday” had their unique singers on tape. As to be expected, most of the songs performed were off the new album, but I’m glad they attempt some earlier tunes as well. "In a State” was brilliant, as was the encore "Rabbit in your Headlights” melding into "Eye for an Eye.” The band’s performance ranged from mostly solid to down right spectacular.
As a studio project with multiple guest singers turned into a live act, it was more impressive than what Death In Vegas or Massive Attack ever managed. Very impressed was I.