SHELLSUIT
DEAD COWBOYS
Williamson Tunnels 

Although the DEAD COWBOYS don’t cite The Smiths as an influence, lead singer Dave Jackson does a mean Morrissey. The mannerisms and the swagger are all there even if the vocals aren’t a perfect match. Musically, the band have looked to the likes of Johnny Cash, The Fall and T-Rex for their inspiration. This may be telling too, as within tracks such as Relent and Neighbour in particular, there is an apparent fusion of decidedly British and distinctively American sounds. Taking the jingle-jangle of British invasion rock and the rhythmic sensibilities of Americana, there is plenty of interest here. This marriage of genres doesn’t seem to have happened by chance either, the band interestingly dubbing their style as ‘Unamericana’. A five-piece, the Dead Cowboys typically play guitar-loop heavy indie rock songs. Jackson, for his part, brings largely narrative lyrics rooted in the blues and this often gives their sound a certain melancholic intrigue. There other moments where their debt to The Fall is clear for all to see. This is quite possibly their biggest shortfall though. The guitar pieces, whilst melodic and contagious enough, seem to be trying to emulate the lo-fi, one level effect of Mark E Smith’s best work. Consequently, tracks occasionally bleed into one another, perhaps hinting at the limited scope of the band. They do have quality though and there is enough on show to make them one worth investigation.

Taking to the stage at nine-thirty, top-billing SHELLSUIT provoke a swift exudus from the bar. Attention is immediately drawn to the Liverpool foursome’s attire. Dinner jacket-clad, they enter with a smile and in the case of lead singer a dubious blonde hairpiece. On the face of it Lee Hurst in a wig isn’t all that appealing. But once the blonde mop comes off two or three songs into the set, it’s...erm...just Lee Hurst. Follicle-based jibes aside, this is a band creating genuine excitement at the moment and in the cavernous wonder of the Williamson Tunnels, there seemed to be a real buzz of anticipation. Taking a look at their website will tell you that Shellsuit aren’t just a band but a project, a concept even. Then there’s actor Budgie and poet Farquar under the Shellsuit banner, the latter introducing the band tonight by way of an anti-American rant. There is also a written mission statement of sorts, espousing multi-culturalism and pointing out the ludicrous nature of stereotypes. Musically, they are fresh sounding and vocally led. The songwriting itself seems purposeful and a little unusual. A common theme of sparse arrangements is complemented by subtle and pleasing guitar licks. Their strongest suit though, is the lyrics. They are a band with much to say. Dealing with issues such as patriotism and immigration and specifically in the excellent Iraqi’s In Shellsuits, the relationship between the two. Elsewhere, the subject matter becomes more introspective, Split Brain And The Whole Mind is a much more inward-looking affair. It may also be their most instantly memorable song, with a ruthlessly infectious tune and the mesmerizing repetition of the short chorus: ‘This brain’s got a brain of its own!’. Curiously, there are no obvious comparisons that spring to mind here and they certainly don’t lack originality, already demonstrating within these thirteen songs that are brimming with ideas. It’s difficult to say why but this band stand out, they’ve certainly got something about them. And this is one way of bringing the Shellsuit back.
Pete Robinson