Live Review: Villain, The Hounds, Laurel Fixation

After a last-minute announcement that band Slacker couldn’t make the gig, the night began slowly with sulky balladess Laurel Fixation pouring husky, melancholy songs of the dole, sex and self-consciousness into the gradually-filling venue, quivering with reverb as she sang and swaying metronomically.  Her deep, anxiety-ridden lyrics took a turn with more seductive and mischievous songs Grubby Girls and O, Chubby Boys, the crowd buzzing. And while it was no mean feat for her mellow voice to get attention, those tuned in were spellbound by her intelligent, detailed and tender lyricism across the omnipresent PA. With her startling looks, bell-clear voice and a wash of magenta light across the stage, Fixation made it clear that the night was about quality over quantity, even minus the fourth band.

The Hounds took the stage next, a rock band with driving piano provided by bespectacled keyboardist Glenn Tippett and a boastful falsetto voice from frontman Jack Haynes. The Hounds blared their signature rock to an enthusiastic crowd, with Haynes racing guitar solos against the wandering bass of Sam Nightingale, who kept a steady, smug beat while her bandmates sped their way through fiddly, cheeky riffs in Justice, The Others and Tragedy. Pausing for an impassioned cover of the Beatles’ Oh Darling, The Hounds forged on through a strong set of Vegas-inspired rock and catchy, simple lyrics in Gentleman, a sneering and triumphant finish with Haynes sheepishly thanking the ecstatic audience as they left the stage.

Finishing the night were Villain, a young band dressed to the nines in ‘60s mod outfits, complete with skinny ties, and holding a clear love of their equipment. The full bar cheered them on as they launched into Left Behind before stepping aside to unveil their strong singer/drummer, Alexander Popoff-Asotoff providing the guts of the vocals alongside baby-faced guitarist Rowan Florence. Feel-good do-wop met pom rock in songs like Brand New Day and Tequila Mockingbird, with winding solos and the flair of Greta Andrews-Taylor’s ambling bass. Popoff-Asotoff’s vocals were warm and delightful, but he struggled to be seen from behind the kit, though the rest of the band frequently stepped out of the way to give him pride of place. With danceable, upbeat songs, Villain brought the night to a neat and early close with cheers from the crowd.