Monday night and only a couple of days after
Camden Rocks Festival and I find myself back in Camden at one of the venues I was in on Saturday. I can't say
Proud is one of my favourite venues in Camden, and I have issues with the bar prices and ale selection (or lack of) but I have to admit it has otherwise improved over the last few years. One thing which makes the place nicer to visit tonight is the lack of the usual annoying and obsequious toilet attendants - I can't stand those creepy fuckers! I am quite capable of taking care of my own needs in the toilet thank you - I don't need any help.
I make a special effort to get down early enough to see
Maleficent.
It's the first time I've seen this band in quite a while - they've been a bit quiet over the last year for various reasons.
Now they are back, with a new bass player and guitarist - down to a single guitar player now. This is an act that's hard to categorise - Not exactly Goth, although there are obvious Goth influences. Not exactly Glam or metal either, but
always an interesting show to watch - I am impressed that singer Maleficent Martini manages to wear three different sets of shoes in only fifteen minutes or so! Starting off in scarily high and Glam heels, then ballet shoes for some dance moves (she is a trained ballerina) and then trainers!
Some new songs are being added, and I'm glad to see there is a much stronger 'live band' vibe and much less reliance on things like laptops - which can and
do go fail in live situations. No technical problems tonight - just a strong and slick live performance.
You never know quite what is going to happen at a Maleficent show, but you know that it will never be boring.
Having two singers makes things more diverse and interesting and Mortimer Cain adds some aggression and grit to the proceedings.
I'm a little disappointed 'Model Song' isn't included in tonight's set, but time is short for an opening act, and new songs need to be tried out and added to keep things fresh and interesting. All too soon Maleficent's show is over - I hope I won't have to wait as long until their next gig.
The next act is definitely more 'Goth' - musically at least. This show is to promote the new MGT album 'Volumes'.
Mark Gemini Thwaite has certainly paid his dues over the years - playing guitar in many bands, including Spear Of Destiny, and a long stint in The Mission which certainly enhances his Goth-cred! I remember seeing him play at The Barfly a few years ago when he was in New Disease. Now he has just released his first solo album.
The new album 'Volumes' features a very impressive array of guest vocalists - including Ville Valo of HIM, Julianne Regan from All About Eve, Wayne Hussey of The Mission, Ricky Warwick of Black Star Riders and The Almighty, Saffron from Republica, and Miles Hunt of The Wonderstuff. Obviously you aren't going to get all those people singing in a small Camden venue on a Monday night, so lead vocals tonight are provided by Ashton Nyte of The Awakening - who also sings a couple of songs on the album and is easily the most 'Goth' person in the band tonight.
As well as mostly MGT compositions the album features a couple of covers: 'Seconds' by The Human League sung by Saffron, and a very surprising ABBA cover! - Ville Valo takes lead vocals on a brilliantly Goth version of 'Knowing Me Knowing You'. Ashton Nyte does an excellent job tonight of performing songs sung by other vocalists on the album and is a good frontman in his own right.
As might be expected, the overall vibe of the album and tonight's show is dark and Gothic - but not down and miserable. These are well crafted songs performed by fine musicians and together they create a moody atmosphere without it seeming grim or cliched.
All in all it's been an interesting and entertaining rainy Monday night in Camden - well worth a trip out into the gloom.
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