Levi’s OnesToWatch: The Temper Trap, Flash Guns, Animal Kingdom
The Fly,

London

30/04/09

In The Fly basement, Animal Kingdom are gently wafting up waves of tender melodrama. Like with feathers or something. Frontman, Richard Sauberlich goes to great lengths to show us just how darned heartfelt he is but Animal Kingdom come across as wet as a Keane trouser accident.

Flashguns, however, introduce themselves with rather misleading Killers-esque pomp but as the dramatic keys subside, they ease into some menacing Hooky-style basslines and the delicate guitar touches and indie-boy earnestness of

Battle. Looking like The Rakes’ baby-faced siblings, it even looks like they took off their school ties for the occasion. Singer Samuel Felix Johnston’s an invigorating clash of Ian Curtis’ dead eyed presence and Morrissey’s warbling but Flashguns show they’re as adept at throwing out churning walls of keys and guitar as they are at elasticising indie pop to infectious effect. Good stuff.

In the midst of Flashguns’ set, burgeoning troupes of females are coyly staking out the front rows and milking their vodkas and cokes. As The Fly’s confines take on that of a tomb, The Temper Trap’s ragged shantyism-come-mellifluous rock soon makes sense. Dougy Mandagi, resplendent in a Run DMC get up, complete with felt bowler, has the doe eyed intensity (and voice) to make the ladies swoon. With fists clenched and eyes closed starward, it just feels a bit like watching an (impressive) all or nothing X-Factor audition. Or Bono. We’re just not sure which is worse. Still, with tracks like ‘The Science Of Fear’ taking all the androgynous bluster of Mansun at their best, and blazing it into slow burning show stopper, The Temper Trap are worthy of some of the current buzz they’re generating. Just ask the girls.

Sherief Younis