Ian Svenonious of Weird War is that rare beast – a natural front man who wouldn’t make sense, anywhere other than on a stage. Philosopher, singer, gasper, poser and mystic, to see him perform, is to be completely hypnotized. It was a pitifully small crowd of the mainly curious who showed up to watch the spectacle; no one I talked to seemed overly familiar with Weird War or any former mutations the four musicians had collaborated on, but I’m fairly sure we all left faithful converts to the Weird War religion. Apologies must go out to Knife Fight, who I missed due to a lethal combination of wine and Scrubs Season Three. So So Modern’s spiky art flavoured post punk went down a treat as usual, their synth warblings eliciting all the normal bizarre dancing I’ve come to associate with them. These four boys are spearheading the “new Wellington sound”, if you believe the hype, but it was all about Ian and co. for me. Part funk, part garage punk, part gospel and part extraordinary whispered preaching, the set flew by in seconds. I probably knew no more about the band than anyone else there, and although I can only swear to knowing two songs – the punk stomp of “AK-47”, and the sneered funk groove “Girls Like That,” that was immaterial – every song sounded like revolutionary gospel spewed out at speed, and no one could help but dance along. Ian Svenonious packs the energy, volume, intelligence and showmanship of ten into his diminutive frame, and on Saturday night he was a whirling howling preacher man, holding the forty-strong audience captive. Alex Minoff looked like a flasher, jogging on the spot with trenchcoat and red Nike trainers, but his punk scrawls were the perfect counterpoint to Ian’s screamed ministrations, while Michelle Mae and Sebastian Thomson provided a hectic rhythm section. I felt rather sad that so few people attended; there was little doubt however that Weird War won over the hearts and hips of all present. All I can say is that if you didn’t go, you missed out. Weird War are one of the most unique and talented bands I’ve ever seen, and sadly, I doubt they’ll be back.
Weird War with Knife Fight and So So Modern
Indigo Saturday 25th March
About the Author (Author Profile)
BORN WITH a cigarette in one hand and The Trial in other, Bea meant to go on as she started. Music wasn’t her first love, but her first love ended in a fight over rightful ownership of a Velvet Underground LP and the kitchen knife, so she chose the kinder option and stuck with it. In her spare time she enjoys casting aspersions, skulking, and making sweeping statements. She never checks her facts: figures it’s a way to live a little, to have arguments with people, then meet them. She’s currently writing a collection of short stories inspired by Schopenhauer’s manifesto of suffering and the Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster. When it gets published, she’s pretty sure that boy will want to hold her hand.Subscribe
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