Team Waterpolo

Fibbers,

York

19/10/08

Band names are strange things; ultimately, they just don’t really matter.

Sometimes, however, they’re a little bit too rubbish to go unnoticed, and The Fly feels obliged to suggest that Team Waterpolo is down there with Joe Lean And The Bloody Jing Jang Whatever. So we’re off to a slightly dodgy start, but we will brave such titular terror for research purposes.

 

It proves to be worth it. The
Preston lot are an interesting band and a strong live act.  Utilising twin guitars, drums and a decks/samples/keyboard manipulator, they make up-tempo music featuring a theatrical, falsetto bothering lead vocal from floppy-haired frontman Fred Davis and some fun whooping from the rest of the group. They’re also a mighty energetic lot that can’t be faulted for effort, although their between song chuntering is sometimes so smiley and upbeat we feel like we’re being sold a mobile phone.

 

However, we will swallow our cynicism to say that this band are worth a punt. At their best they have a groovy, tuneful bopping sound that is unashamedly fun to be around, and they also have a knack for creating the kind of guitar led, electronic embellished, almost-instrumentals that suggest a less-heavy Pendulum. But at their worst their relentless bouncy rhythms are (like Blackburn Rovers) without adequate support, falling apart with average melodies and making us feel like we’re watching The Hoosiers (which is, of course, an unpleasant experience)

Overall Team Waterpolo’s set is zingy, fun, and has sparks of imagination that signal a talent worth watching.

 

Might want to change their name, though.

 

Martin Cordiner