Friday 27th November 2009 @ The Cooler, Bristol
With Support From: Light Of Words, Hi-Fiction Science

Must say, I’ve always liked The Cooler as a venue. Nice staff. Nice tunes. Good bands. As I meander in, there is a nice relaxed atmosphere as the bands playing tonight sound check. There are three bands on the bill: Headliners are The Motherload but first up are Hi-Fiction Science, with Light Of Words the middle men.

Hi-Fiction Science have a sense of the epic with their music sounding like there are howling wolves in the background. I managed to chat with the band before they played and they cited their influences as being instrumental Krautrock (Can and Neu) with a twist on the standard. Their vocalist couldn’t make it tonight, but the tunes were still strong.

Light Of Words also sound progressive and experimental, reminding me of The Eels – the soft thud of the drums balancing the bin-lid twang of the guitars. Using synths to provide that kind of underlying electronic sub-beat which sounds like your ears are popping when your flight begins its decent to land.

The Motherload move much more into the indie frame. Modern traditionalism? Traditional in the sense that they’ve cut themselves back to the classic, three-piece, post-punk new-wave band. Keeping it tight. No need for excess. The lead guitar work reminds me of The Cure’s first work. Picked out melodies remind me of 10:15 on a Saturday Night. The rhythm section brings to mind Queens Of The Stone Age; a joyful but menacing thud-thud-thud. The Motherload combine these two diverse styles well and create their own musical vision.

www.myspace.com/hitthemotherload

Mike Clarke