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Faun Fables + Headdress Of Neon Lights Jade Monkey, Thurs 18 Nov I've seen bands set up as the audience flows in and gathers but one hour after The Jade Monkey opened, the Faun Fables were still checking, tweaking and testing their equipment while CDs played intermittently in the background. Still, it was somewhat satisfying to catch a (rather lengthy) glimpse of the behind the scenes fussing that goes in making a well oiled show. First up though was local band Headdress Of Neon Flames who I'm happy to say didn't seem to have the same technical glitches as the 'Fables. Not knowing what to expect I was surprised when they opened their set with a ferocious intensity which carried throughout their entire performance. They used a plethora of instruments like guitars, drums, violin, trumpet, sticks, cymbals, a recorder and good old fashion clapping to create a sound that was rich in Native American influence. It seemed that they were not only creating music but channelling natural sounds that already exist and aren't always heard. The majority of songs played were not accompanied by words but by chanting that brought to life a ritualistic and tribal energy. There was a distinct hunter/gatherer feel as well as sounds of the jungle. The final track was chilling and made my hair stand on end: you know a performance is first-rate when the mood of the music leaves you feeling a little scared. After accepting that things don't always go to plan, the Faun Fables gave up trying to get the acoustics just right and worked with what they had. Dawn McCarthy donned a grey wig and was armed with a cup and spoon as instruments for the opener in what almost seemed like the initial stages of a seance. An unusual performance doesn't even begin to describe the 'Fables eclectic style. They were quirky from beginning to end but their incessant howling was a bit too much to handle after the second or third song. However, the way-out-there approach of the Faun Fables was entertaining in itself. An interesting evening watching some unique characters transform themselves from person to performer but for my money, Headdress Of Neon Lights were definitely the star attraction.  |
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