12/05/2005: "sandman review"

I just found a review of our last Sheffield gig by googling for Lardpony. Yes, it has been a slow day. I make no apologies. It's from Sheffield Sandman and it's pretty excellent.

The Scarlet Tuesday / Lardpony / Monkey Swallows the Universe
@ The Grapes

The Grapes tonight feels like a family reunion where a distant cousin has returned to the fold. Although Lardpony hail from deepest Derby, their indiepop stops and starts could go undetected amidst Sheffield’s DIY ethos.

The first chords to be strummed this evening are from a Vaselines’ song. The words are sung by Monkey Swallows the Universe and it doesn’t matter if it’s a sickly novelty song they cover as they lay out their trademark charm and flair to a packed hypnotised crowd. Praise doesn’t always have to come from a review or an opinion as the collective expression of the audience suggests how MSTU appeals to them - that of contorted glee.

It’s then time to trade C86 mixtapes. With most touring bands you feel they have merchandise to sell off in a cynical attempt to pay for their petrol. Most forget to pack their charisma but with Lardpony you feel happy to buy, share or steal their enthusiasm. A large part has to do with the Casio noises and the clever oblique lyrics - oh, and the fact that each song is no more than two minutes long. ‘Self-Destruct With Me’ and ‘Catwatching’ are highlights, recalling Bearsuit or Fonda 500 but ‘Zombie Bride’ is a song to dance to and sing along with the chorus. It’s pure indiepop refinement that counts 3,6,9 and Lardpony have it.

The Scarlet Tuesday have a lot to deliver after the first hour of entertainment has passed. But this is the Scarlet Tuesday and they know how to hold their nerve. In a line they stand and melodic, well structured indiepop comes out of the speakers. Although the first two or three songs are treaded carefully, the blitzkrieg drumming makes songs such as ‘Spy vs Spy’ sound weighty and entertaining. See everyone in the queue for Offbeat then.

Michael Cornin