aaamusic | On 30, Apr 2014

Sunday 27th March, London

On Sunday morning I was one of the lucky few to not only purchase Brody Dalle’s new album Diploid Love, but also snag a wristband to this intimate, evening in-store show. The set, approximately 20 minutes, was short and sweet but packed a massive punched nevertheless.

Album opener ‘Rat Race’ is the first riotous song the crowd is treated too, the dirty bass and Dalle’s guitar shredding is too overwhelming to describe. She is joined on stage by ex-Distillers and Spinerette guitarist Tony Bevilacqua, Cosmo Sylvan on bass and drummer Hayden Scott, who play with such raw and vigorous intensity that it’s truly hypnotising.

Highlights of the gig, ‘Don’t Mess With Me’ and ‘Meet the Foetus/Oh the Joy’, show off Dalle’s broody growl and raspy vocals, echoing back to her punk rock roots but with a tone that is now more refined. One thing that is indisputable is Brody Dalle’s unadulterated, cool edge on stage and, at this point, I realise how good it is to have her back.

Lois Browne