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"SILENCE BAWBAGS!" he screams in a broad Glaswegian accent, then continues to play out the song. After he is finished he will smile and give the thumbs up to indicate that he has finished and it's okay to clap. It's the funniest heckle I've ever heard. Lapsus Linguae are playing their first song, 'Parade'. On CD it's a beautiful, uplifting classical instrumental, like Rachels with their knobs out, but here in the painfully sweaty environs of the Dublin Castle they force the song through a punk rock wrangler and it still comes out shining like the blood of ten thousand newly slaughtered King Adora fans in the noonday sun. I am astonished. Singer/Bassist/Pianist Ian is all over the place, far too tall to placed on a stage he veers dangerously around the place like a giraffe teetering on a dinky toy, often ending up on his knees, forcing the music through his bass and crooning/screaming declarations of intent, words of advice and indistinct yelps. Oh yes, this is the fucking business, Lapsus Linguae are kicking my head off it's shoulders like I knew they would. There are a lot of influences at work, classical composition in the form of superb piano work from Ian and Callum, head butts 'hardcore' backing in the tradition of off-kilter drums patterns and strangled stabbing trebly guitar and bass from Alastair and Stuart. Some names? Kurt Weill, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Shellac (but better), Rachels, Rodan, The Fall (for the formation shouting), The Ramones (if only for Ian's too-tall-to-live stage presence and spiky hair.) Callum is now ranting about Calvinists to an uncomprehending (but very appreciative) audience, he is a truly scary man whilst onstage, toppling over things while hurting his guitar, whipping Ian's arse with his bare hands, screaming blue murder, playing heart burstingly beautiful piano parts (Ian too!) The great thing about seeing Lapsus Linguae play live is the fun to be had trying to reconcile the image/attitude they adopt and the music they create - and it is great music, and they're just getting started. A mini album will be out sometime c/o Fierce Panda/Livid Meerkat, I'm so looking forward to hearing that, but in the meantime Lapsus Linguae will be back at the end of June, make sure you see them bawbags! Santa Dog |