ASHLEY PARK, FONDA
500, KICKER, Hull Adelphi, 22/02/02 home
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Just as their recording co.,
the Track & Field Organisation, isn't just another London indie
label, Kicker shouldn't be mistaken for just another London indie band.
Featuring former members of Comet Gain, Velocette and Hood, the six-piece
have come on in leaps and bounds in the past year, putting more oomph
to their '60s-and soul-infused take on cute guitar-pop. They enter 2002,
if not kicking and screaming, then shimmying and crooning, with double
A-side 'No More Tears' and 'The Long Way Down'. While the first takes
on the soul-stirring spoken word section to good effect, the latter
sees a switch in vox to lanky drummer Phill before petite fox Jill takes
over again. If a bit high in the mix, her vocals are classy and pack
a punch to match the blaring trumpet. With work on stage presence to
match the songs, more'll kick off.
"With all 5 Fondas bound together
by tentacles that led back to a star placed above mainman Simon Stone
seated in the middle of the stage (to denote his genius, possibly, like
a light going on), tonight their set was acoustic and as laid-back as
possible, despite the odd electric guitar being plugged in. And, ironically
when 'unplugged gigs' are notorious for being so easy to set up, their
problems frustratingly started and ended with technical dogma, Simon
resolving to miss songs out when there couldn't be compromise. Lifting
most material from their second, lovingly lo-fi as heaven 'Autumn: Winter
Collection', 'Hibernate' stood out as they crooned softly-softly about
snow and the pure, heart-melting like. The reassuring thing is, even
at their worst, most ill-enthusiastic and problem-struck, Fonda 500's
unique charm sees them through and everyone sees the funny side. There's
no stressing, no egos, no rush. And that's why there's no band quite
like this." -Steve Rudd.
After an acoustic interlude from Hull's Finest Fonda 500, we've another North American indie band (note, despite name, not a solo artiste!). There's a lot of groups coming over the Atlantic right now plying slightly psychedelic, alt.country-warmed pop, and most seem to be supported over here by either Fortuna Pop! or Track & Field. But Ashley Park is located further north than the Essex Green, and thus leaves me slightly cold. Even the band don't feel any heat: the drummer in the Canada quartet keeps his red/white-striped scarf on throughout. Plodding through mellow grooves with shades of the Tyde, perhaps like those Los Angelenos they're more arresting on record. Of note is one song just like Jonathan Donahue singing Will Oldham, and with a singer who sounds like an elf with sinus trouble, it's strange so many other groups remind of Mercury Rev this way (the Flaming Lips' line-up once featured 'Dingus' Donahue, and Hopewell used to play with the Rev, but Ashley Park seem unconnected). Otherwise, tonight they grab most attention by covering a clownish Pavement coda - probably that band's history with Hull is why they're so gracious to appear at the Adelphi. Shame we couldn't all return the favour - perhaps they demand familiarity to spread their love.
