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Warming up a cold November night in the twilight zone between the edge of Camden and Chalk Farm, Dead Writers are lighting up the stage on the first night of a short tour opening for South Carolina guitar-slinging sensation Hannah Wicklund. Given the headliners Summery Blues stylings, it seems to be an odd mix on paper but the London quintet’s Goth Glam is shot through with bright colours and shards of light, all souped up into something that sparkles like a diamond on a dirty barroom floor.
After an extended intro tape, the Bowie-ish Glam of ‘Meet The Shadow’ kicks off the set, frontman Paul Shine’s stylishly bohemian wastrel look complimenting his keening and distinct vocals. The whole band exude cool and ‘Lisa’ typifies the rollocking Music Hall ethos the outfit have, its mix of high end rock and sensuality as intoxicating as a bottle of Absinthe.
With Shine on the piano and the dual guitars of Filippo Faustini and Alex Anthony bringing a cut and thrust dynamism, the song rolls along and its hook filled chorus is cause for instant singalongs as Nik Shiva and the enigmatically named Näo drive its grand, shuddering rhythms.
In a brave move, the band unleash new track ‘Perfect Portrait’ live for the first time, its bleeding heart and ragged cry into the darkness setting it out as a key to the outfits growing reputation as songwriters of stadium filling bedsit songs.
Following this big statement, the shimmering Goth of ‘December’ is an evocative and subtly dark switch that hits an atmospheric height with its classic 1970’s rock ‘n’ roll guitar solo. Another key to the attraction Dead Writers hold is this chameleon-like ability to seamlessly switch from one mood to another and its something that may seem showy when brought by less sure hands than these but fits perfectly here.
A surprise in the set, their take on The Waterboys visceral ‘Be My Enemy’ is played like Motorhead are covering it, the full-pelt rush and Shine’s feral vocals untamed as the singer gyrates and throws shapes like Mick Jagger at his most rampant.
Throwing himself into the audience for ‘She’s All The Animals’ retro rock, the mic is passed from audience member to audience member, each getting the chance to bellow or sweetly sing along to the irresistible chorus.
The whole is done in celebratory style and the evening an undoubted triumph for the band, the potentially partisan audience won over and a raft of new fans added to their growing numbers. Hot, sweaty rock music played with more than a little style that stayed the right side of flamboyant, the Dead Writers are masters of their craft and are certainly heading in absolutely the right direction.
Review by Paul Monkhouse
Photo: www.deadwritersband.com
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