East London’s powerhouse of auteur percussion Folly Group returned to Nottingham for a headline show at Rescue Room, touring their debut LP Down There, alongside the indelible support act Pencil. Ross Williams reviews.
Despite having only released two singles, Pencil’s vividly realised material took the room by surprise. Combining elements of Baroque pop and shoe-gazey sensibilities, the band deliver a sound that’s equally akin to groups like The Smile or Bug teeth. Tracks like their first single, The Window, stood out as examples of how to build an atmosphere with spirited harmony. The group was a refreshing watch, consisting of violin, acoustic guitar, brushed drums, bass, and a lead electric. If you like the orchestral/ folky post punk sound and the dulcet aspects of theatre, Pencil is a band to have on your radar.
Folly Group are an atypical fourpiece group, manifesting as equally monotone vocalists on drums and lead guitar, a second percussionist sporting the synth, crash and cowbell combo and a well-grounded bassist. It isn’t a gimmicky setup though; it works and it's central to the band’s angular art-punk sonic identity.
The set outlined the best of the new album, with bops like Strange Neighbour – an infectious ‘for the freaks’ anthem, Big Ground – an anxious display of dynamic sensibility and Pressure Pad- an inventive spin on their sound which incorporates fun breaks and dub sirens. Fan favourites were sprinkled between; the tracks Fashionista and Butt No Rifle fronted their refined brand of heavily quantised sonic karate.
The stacking of high frequency timbres created a difficult texture to balance, as the sound struggled to keep the guitar and drones to an audible level. The resonant walls of the venue also didn’t play to the group’s staccato sound, creating an underwhelming experience of the objectively well-constructed breaks and innovative turnarounds Folly Group have offered at previous live shows. The band endeavoured to keep the set succinct and antsy throughout. With most tracks falling between the ‘too much coffee’ and ‘I desperately need to relieve myself’ bpm range, it became tiring to listen after 40 minutes. Overall, I’ve seen better shows from Folly Group in the past but still believe their sound is an exciting take on the angular Gang of Four brand of post punk.
Ross Williams
Edited by Alice Beard
Images courtesy of Folly Group on Facebook, Videos courtesy of Pencil and Folly Group on Youtube
Comments