Zanzibar, 29.10.20

TONE PUPPETS
Zanzibar

Having seen this band perform in the same venue a couple of months earlier, I sort of knew what to expect. That is, uniformly-logoed polo shirts, songs of a funky-pyschedelic disposition and a real feeling of a 1980s, baggy-era 'Madchester' flashback. This isn't to say though that the TONE PUPPETS are mere copycats and comparisons to the likes of Primal Scream and their ilk should be seen as complimentary. In songs such as Wicked Curse and Strange Signs, they expertly blend their apparent '60s influences too (for they do occasionally bring to mind the likes of The Doors and Led Zeppelin) with the chiming guitar loops not a million miles away from John Squire's melodic wizardry with The Stone Roses.

To this end, the band's sound isn't purely derivative by any means. In a sense they have a trump card in the form of a unique mixture of both Spanish and eastern influences which resonate through numbers such as Late Nights and Indian Kind. This brings innovation to their rhythms and may be behind some interesting and unusual song structures. This gives them a fresh sounding edge and serves to keep the listener guessing. Lyrically, they have plenty to offer as well and in this respect lead singer Mark Mulhaney does indeed have something of Jim Morrison about him. Using an upbeat and driven tempo to frame claustrophobic, obscure and sometimes haunting words, their set has an intrigue to it, leading one to think they perhaps a little more than just a good band.

They have swagger as well and although they don't particularly stand out visually, Mulhaney does have stage presence. Now the resident band of Zanzibar's The Lovely Job night, their distinctive sound ties the night together well and the night can be recommended as time well spent. This regularly spot has allowed Tone Puppets to hone their sound and a result they come over as a very tight and accomplished four-piece. I implore you to see this band if you get a chance, as they have the talent to play to bigger audiences and with any luck will be doing just that soon enough.
PeTE ROBINSON