10/11/2007 Zen Motel @ the Purple Turtle

Subject	Zen Motel @ the Purple Turtle
PostedDate	11/10/2007
	Another night I'd been looking forward to at the Purple Turtle, although tonight's bill didn't turn out quite as I was expecting... I'd been looking forward to seeing Dollar-Sent for a while after being told I would like their Motörhead/Wildhearts inspired sound. I've got to say they didn't do it for me at all tonight. They have plenty of attitude and an agressive sound, but that's not enough on it's own. The singer looks and sounds like he actually want's to be Ginger of the Wildhearts. This is all very well, but unfortunately I found this band lacking in actual tunes, and not impressive in vocal delivery either. They just bludgeoned their way though their set failing to leave any songs likely to stick in your head. Rather disappointing I'm afraid. Sorry guys. Next up was the surprise of the night. Dead Identities were new to me, although I immediately noticed their frontman looked very familiar. I'd seen him on the very same stage only a week before playing 2nd guitar with Kitty Hudson - now here he is fronting his own band. And rather good they are too - fast and tuneful power/pop/punk. Singer Keef's choice of Disarm T-shirt is fitting as fans of that band are likely to find Dead Identities to their liking too. This was good stuff and certainly made up for tonight's opening act. Zen Motel don't seem to do bad shows. It's great to see them headlining this Camden venue after a few support slots here. There aren't many bands on this circuit with as many good songs as this lot. Their gigs are always energetic and you can tell they totally believe in what they are doing. There are plenty of bands playing in London who reckon they are really 'sleazy' - but Zen Motel manage to be dark, twisted, and very sleazy without falling into all the tired old cliches the other bands fall into.  This band have a strong sound and identity of their own - without dressing up like 80's LA 'rock stars' and looking and sounding like all the other clone 'sleaze' bands. Zen Motel are an uncompromising band who manage to stand out from the crowd.