9th 0ctober Monday Nex Above It All and The Clauberg Opera at Ringside Hull (1/3) By Michelle Dee Photographs by Kate Langan www.katelanganphotography.co.uk

(1/3), (2/3), (3/3).

Photograph Gallery   The Clauberg Opera Gallery,   Above It All Gallery,   Nex Gallery,

Having only seen The Clauberg Opera previously in the darkened confines of the Adelphi I found tonight's setting rather strange. The absence of light was replaced with dancing coloured spots and a disco ball. One of the reasons Clauberg took this gig apart from their desire to pick up as many gigs as possible was to try out a shortened version of their set. This was done in order to meet the criterion of the Gig that Exploded series to be held at Adelphi on October 27th. The Clauberg Opera are attempting to shorten the usual fifty minute set to just twenty-five. The net result is that tonight sounds more like a sampler of the Opera.

Through the medium of music and a looped newscast poignant feelings are evoked. The newsreel repeatedly played over the music about the bombing in Turkey killing a ten year old boy, leaves you in no doubt about their politics. You could imagine, holding up a mirror to the world at the moment as the dangerous arguments about proliferation rage on, and hearing the apocalyptic overtures of Clauberg emanating from every corner of the globe. They continue in uncompromising fashion, even when Jenny Mayhem guitarist snaps a main string and has to quickly retune the other strings mid song without a flicker. Plucked and pulled strings, give way to wilder strumming.

Your eyes remain on Jenny transfixed by her strange allure. She makes no grab for the spotlight -there is no front person in Clauberg- both bassist Monster and drummer Sorry play just as important roles but you can't help returning your gaze to that guitar sound. I imagine the crashing soundscapes dark yet majestic, giving birth to songs just as galaxies give birth to stars. Their music is about ideas, experiments, what happens if we do this then twist it just a little, turn that dial, create a loop then turn that on? What happens then? No wonder the band feel there isn't a billing in the town on which they can comfortably sit.

First time I saw Above It All they were at the Adelphi playing in the band slot on a Monday Musicians Night last May. That night one of the later songs in the set inspired me. Having kept an approximation of the bass line in my head as I walked home I immediately started composing a poem. Since that night I have seen them play at the fun but short lived Apocalypse night at Silhouette. Tonight they bring the nu-metal thrash sound, Screamo voicing with some old skool riffs thrown in for good measure. As the first number begins the bassist attacks the strings with gusto; not just a bit of slap but really braying the hell out of his guitar.

Continued...Next Page (2/3)

Photographs courtesy and Copyright © Kate Langan 2006

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