aaamusic | On 07, May 2014

Thursday 1st May, London

Supporting Dum Dum Girls tonight is NYC’s Vorhees and Dee Dee Penny’s husband’s band Crocodiles. Vorhees’ dark wave rectified as dreary synthpop is played out, as this one woman show inhales and exhales out through the microphone, setting the moody tone displaying a penchant for songs of sadness. The music dabbles between guitar and electronic minimalism, with that faithful drum clap in tow slotted in between smudges of guitar solos. Whereas some artists’ voices tend to be the main focus, the instrumentation is the focal point here, as the soaring synths and rhythm loops drown out her vocalisations to a soft faintness.

Rock’n’roll guitar duo Crocodiles enter the blood-red lit stage to a reverberating guitar riff setting the atmosphere as guitarist Charles Rowell immediately kicks off into a garage tinged song, as Brandon Welchez with guitar in hand leers at the mic throwing distorted dance shapes. The next song has a ‘Ramones-y’ punk rock feel, as he sings “oh hey hey”. Crocodiles’ music is unlike any I’ve ever heard as their sound samples a variation of rock periods from the hip swinging 50s, psychedelic 60s and punk of the 70s, which is fused together making their set intriguing and fun to watch… as you never really know what is coming next.

Dum Dum Girls’ stage preparation is girlie-ness personified as each microphone stand is decorated with bouquets of artificial flowers featuring LED lights which change colour; whilst a massive hollow wooden love-heart with a neon blue border echoes back to their current albums’ Too True cover art is the backdrop. As each member enters the stage it’s difficult not to mention their appearance – each one oozes sexiness in their all black attire, Dee Dee in a polka dot mesh top and very visible black nipple pasties not leaving much to the imagination. It’s no wonder why the front row is full of men.

The girl’s open up with ‘Mine Tonight’ singing as one unit, captivating the audience one by one as they perform. ‘I Got Nothing’ is more upbeat, as woozy guitars and Dee Dee’s sultry vocals are meshed together as the other members guitarist Jules, bassist Malia and drummer Sandy ‘coo’ and ‘ahh’ into their mics, Dee singing “I’ve got nothing left to say”, the end of a love passed. ‘Bedroom Eyes’ – taken from the group’s second album Only In Dreams – brings a happier warmth to the room, you can imagine the California sunshine, the song a reverberation of the beach rock era. Next they storm into ‘I Will Be’ with such a punch; it’s invigorating and makes me feel like it is 2010 again. During ‘He Gets Me High’ the girls remind me of a 60s girl band, but one with a gothic punk edge, where they learnt how to play their own instruments with a rock’n’roll attitude, as they sway owning the stage.

Tonight the group are super tight – they don’t miss a single note. The ‘Are You Okay?’ chorus is heavenly as they all sing together, their harmonies on point. The older songs from I Will Be  are played with far more ferociousness, ‘It Only Takes One Night’ not being an exception, as they all yell in unison “one night” to finish the song. Stage talk tonight is practically non-existent apart from the breather Dee Dee takes to thank the audience for their attendance, before they play ‘Under These Hands’. The frontwoman’s prowess is undeniable as she skulks around on the stage knowing she has each voyeur in the palm of her hands. While ‘Lord Knows’ is a sea of whirring guitars with that soul-cal, lo-fi sound that the Dum Dum Girls were first noted for on the scene.

The encore begins with the band’s backs to the crowd as if they are having their own personal jam session. The guitars are kaleidoscopic and fuzzy, as the band play in a relaxed motion. The closer ‘Coming Down’ is the stand out of the show. The lights are set to a deep blue hue, as Dee Dee strips away her guitar and takes the microphone in her hand. It’s a spectacle as her voice rings out and overpowers the room. It is a lovelorn, soul-baring and a spellbinding view to experience her hands tightly clasping the mic, with her hand on heart and it is a truly special way to the end the show.

Lois Browne