Halfway through last night's gig, I realised that I'd seen Frank Turner before, in a tiny, empty bar. It took me a while because then, it was a bloke with an acoustic guitar singing witty songs about urban alienation. Last night, a man with a muscular band, great banter and self-deprecating wit sang similar songs but loudly, in front of an utterly packed, much bigger room.
It was like being inducted into a cult (thanks Emma). The crowd was mixed, though tending towards check-shirted, young couples (which obviously brought out the single misanthrope in me. They all knew every word and bayed with approval throughout.
If you don't know Turner's stuff, it veers between Springsteen, The Dubliners and Half Man Half Biscuit - folk hidden under rock and lyrics tending towards wry analysis of social ills and tales of our atomised individualism. I had to disagree with his analysis of the 1381 Peasant's Revolt (he said they should be examples to us all because they wanted less goverment - I think we need more government, especially when it comes to financial regulation, healthcare, public services etc - and he missed out Wat Tyler's bloody end, betrayed by the aristocracy he thought would negotiate with him fairly), but loved his use of the word 'crass' in a pop song. It's not preachy, he's catchy and very good at banter.
Support bloke Beans on Toast was fairly amusing too, though strip out the swearing and you've got nursery-rhyme morality tales in a cockney accent.
1 comment:
I sort of liked Million Dead - Smiling At Strangers On Trains is as good a vitriolic song you'll find anywhere - but I can't seem to click with his new stuff.
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