Kill Kenada & Jetplane Landing, Islington Academy

Tonight we come to praise of the kings of American alternative music, Sonic Youth, Pavement, Fugazi and Nirvana.

First on are Kill Kenada, a three piece from these shores who have absorbed the influences of Pavement and Nirvana and regurgitated them as jagged pop songs with lots of tempo shifts and crunchy guitars. They seem to have been on tour for most of this year so their is a fair chance that you'll get to see them some time soon.

A couple of years ago I read a review of Jetplane Landing’s first album, Zero For Conduct, and was moved enough to buy it. And what a great record it was – a home recorded, lo-fi gem that made me pine for the long lost Pavement. Tonight they play a couple of tracks from this including the caustic What The Argument Has Changed, but most of the stuff comes from the more recent record, Once Like A Spark, which I have to admit to not hearing.

I have to say that in the last 2 years they’ve morphed from the power pop of the Ash like Summer Ends (from the aforementioned debut LP) to the less immediate There Is No Real Courage Without Real Danger. But during this time they’ve picked up a sizable fan base who are all here tonight for the last night of the UK tour. And the band really appreciate the fans – maybe a little too much – it’s OK to thank them for buying your records and turning up for the tour – but it starts to grate towards the end of the evening when singer Andrew Ferris thanks us (at length) after every song. Maybe he's overcome by the rabid response of the mosh pit, who seem to be oblivious to the subtropical heat in the venue (top tip to the Academy – turn the air conditioning ON!). Watching Andrew on stage is a little disconcerting as he seems to be looking at you directly singing to you. I’ve checked this with a friend who I bumped into at the gig and he felt that he was being addressed directly as well.

Its so great to see a fiercely independent indie band putting out their own records and touring without any major label messing. If you get a chance go and see them.
- posted by Nigella @ 8:40 PM