We Are The Physics
The Attic (Upstairs At The Garage), Glasgow
30/07/2010

We Are The Physics recently staged a gig that asked the audience to rate songs from their forthcoming second album, complete with a clap-o-meter that had settings from “pish” to “Best Song Since ‘Easy Lover’”. Sadly it’s not here tonight, but their hardcore group of loyal fans are. And kitted out in a uniform of matching black shirts, the four-piece welcome us to their very own 1950s B-movie themed universe at this midnight gig. Singer/bassist Michael M sports Buddy Holly spectacles and a guitar lead twisted around his wrist. And the band wear their influences on their short sleeves; with a set propelled by twitchy energy, stop-start jerks and spiky punk sounds.

‘You Can Do Athletics, BTW’ is an insistent, straight-forward punk thump of an opener that makes a virtue of repetition, and they never really stray from this formula. It’s the little touches, however, that stand out: an unexpected doo-wop breakdown, an intro that steals from Sam Cooke’s ‘Cupid’, a chorus that degenerates into the We Buy Any Car advert jingle – and whether these are improvised or well rehearsed, it’s hard to tell. Throughout this breakneck half hour set, the front trio of Michaels throw manic shapes like they’ve been practicing in front of a mirror. But the pauses are just as important – one so dramatic it allows Michaelguitar to check his mobile and another that sees the band execute a perfect three way high five.

Then there’s ‘Less Than Three’, all fits and starts, with only the tiny barrier keeping the band from diving headfirst into the audience, and ‘Goran Ivanisevic’ which feels like a gag, adding to tonight’s all-pervading Zappa-ness.

Whilst they don’t make it easy to whistle their tunes, there is a joyous surrealism to each We Are The Physics performance that’s unique and utterly entertaining.

Lucy Brouwer