Concert Review by Mark Balmer
From Melody Maker, Jan85
Broadway, the hole buried in the depths of Hammersmith's Clarendon
Hotel, is not an ideal place to witness any spectacular. Tacky gothic
sketches on the walls, limited space on and around the stage, and
dangerously dodgy amplification mixed with an unsympathetic sound
engineer, make for one of London's lesser-appreciated venues.
These downfalls affect Goddog, a quartet comprising sax,
keyboard, guitars and drums, who will be remembered for their percussionist
Plume's headware if not for her snappy style of singing. A red beret and
eight or nine jerky tunes make a pleasant change from the norm who support
in this dimly-lit pit.
Simon Huw Jones, the voice in the forest, wanted to be lit by projections,
while the remaining three were covered with colour. No room was
the verdict; creativity crushed before they've even begun. They make do with what's
available, opening quietly with "So this is silence" and immediately
complaining that the voice is too silent, the bass to loud and the
overall sound too muffled. By their third, the sound is corrected and
the music compelling. Justin manipulating his guitar with an effort that
out-ranged the most complex synthesized sound, engulfing the small
gathering with emotion, embroidering the music with effects. Steven
Burrow's bass and Nick Havas' drumming work as the catalyst, harnessing
the sound to full effect.
They whisk through their set from the fast, moving "Twilights pool" and
"Midnight garden", to the relaxed melodies of "Wallpaper dying" and
"Talk without words", thriving on the atmosphere, radiant amongst the mass.
Throughout Justin swaps from an electric lead guitar to an amplified
acoustic, using six-effects pedals and nimble strumming to create raging
crescendos and subtle overflowing rhythms. The emotions are changing from
hot to cold, building the image that erupts with each scream.
I've heard tell they compare these Trees with The Cure, a crippling
misconception, arasing from a support slot that should have prompted,
not hindered, their widespread acceptance. I reckon they're closer to
heaven, but to confirm the commonplace law, that a hack should always
categorise, I'll say they're closer to Wham! Take it as Gospel.
[M.B]