Archie Bronson Outfit
The Scala, London
14/10/2010

One of Domino’s labours of love – the bands they’ve stuck by despite no prospect of any significant upturn in their fortunes – Archie Bronson Outfit are as removed from anything current as they were when they first emerged. They share all of the above questionable attributes with labelmates Clinic, along with the fact that the greatest obstacle between them and crossover success is that you can never quite decipher what the fuck they’re on about.

But you suspect the 300 or so here tonight wouldn’t change any of the qualities that make them what they are, and The Fly is certainly included in that number. While their albums are enjoyable enough with occasional flashes of brilliance, it’s on stage where they truly come into their own, and effortlessly so. For like few other contemporary indie-rock bands, ABO rock like hell; unrelenting and utterly flawless, their solid recordings flourish in a wall of guitars and drums. Perhaps 90% of tonight’s crowd are committed converts, and as such they’re not difficult to get onside, but the band still storm it, aware as they must be of the fanbase majority in attendance.

Until the world comes round to their skewed attitude it’s hard to see Archie Bronson Outfit expanding beyond their present level of popularity, but you suspect that any growth will be without compromise, and with a label unlikely to exert such pressures they’re safe enough in that corner. Which suits us fine, because this level of performance serves as a timely reminder of a truly special band with no like-for-like comparison nor equal.

Andy Slocombe