Labels: Brew Records
Review by: Graeme Cunningham
There is a peculiar syndrome that befalls a certain kind of noisy Indy rock band. Its a sort of delusional psychosis. I think it might be something to do with having to share stages with one to many namby pampy Indy bands who’re scared of all the settings above 5 on their amplification. As a result they become convinced that they are in fact a lot uglier and heavier than they actually are. This seems to be the case with Manchester three piece Kong. Their debut two track seven inch contains two servings of albini marinated riffage. The first of which, has a definite aftertaste of In Utero, although the taste of shellac is much stronger in the initial mouthfuls. Second course “Hint of Rennit innit” is less “esque” and more its own man. It sound less self conscious and I can’t put my finger on why.
This is quite open to abuse from the old “this would sound a lot better live with a pint in my hand” cliché of zine reviews. Of course it’d sound better drunk. Everything does. But you’d also possibly have to sit through some of the namby pamby Indy bands I warned you about. Then there would be all the pissing about between bands changing amps and such. You’d end up spending a fortune at the bar too. Probably wouldn’t even see all of Kong, end up leaving to catch the last bus and feeling really angry about it all.
This ticks a lot of boxes, but for some reason, it isn’t quite convincing me. Like I said, I worry that perhaps Kong don’t hae the necessary raspberry ripple of darkness running through their collective vanilla. These songs on display flex and grimace, but they come across like a circus strongman with a well oiled moustache, effortlessly hoisting a one ton weight above his head. Its family fun. The kids are impressed. But out the back of the circus there are drunk carneys, swearing their tits off and bare-knuckle boxing, children are crying their eyes out, losers spitting teeth and blood everywhere, now that’s a REAL spectacle to behold.
For now I hold my arm outstretched with thumb pointed horizontal in ambivalence. It could go either way. Personally I hope they are start hanging out with more Carney’s.