Silk Cut look cool and smooth like a retro Surf band, whilst they traffic their brand of throwback to go forward guitar Rock.
The past sure is tense! The future’s uncertain and the end is always near.
They borrow from myriad influences of Sixties and Seventies Power Pop which also can accommodate the quirky angular lines of a Captain Beefheart and the intoxicating mix of the Doors. Without the classy trash organ sound, more than made up for in the interwoven guitar textures.
I saw them recently supporting Happy Mondays at the Powerstation and they were impressive. Opening for an iconic Nineties Manchester band who rose to the occasion.
Andrew Thomas (Splitter, Calico Brothers) guitar has a long pedigree in the local music industry. Rubbing shoulders with the likes of Dave Dobbyn, Bic Runga and the Finn dynasty.
Aidan Phillips on bass is regarded as the high priest of the low end. He resembles William Wild Bill Lee Burroughs’ doppelganger.
Justin McLean guitar was added later. The relative youngster on drums is Jayden Lee.
They are playing a pre-dinner early set at the Big Fan on a cold Sunday evening. A small venue but it is full and predominantly Boomers.
First song is a good example of their pedigree. Dream King starts the show. Resembles New Wave initially but keeps shapeshifting. Sixties Garage Rock to Power Pop to Psychedelic. From first EP Astronaut. The band is locked in from the starting gate.
Subliminal messages are received pointing to the Chambers Brothers.
The Transfer was a song which stood out at the Powerstation show and does so tonight. It snarls like the early Who, with the meshed guitars sounding like Sixties Garage Punk. I thought Psychedelic Furs at the earlier show, and it is probably still accurate.
Old and Blue and Anywhere We Drive. Being a guitar band it is not surprising to hear influences of grumpy grunge meister Neil Young when he plays with Crazy Horse.
The latter song throws in a bit of Television for good measure.
I Remember the Winter is a Dunedin song with its Flying Nun temperament. Blood on the hillside references. Note-bending psychedelic guitar effects, and it ends being not cold anymore.
One of Thorne’s occupations is as a Foley operator of special effects sounds for television and cinema.
They are into themes tunes of Sixties and Seventies television shows. These are ever-present again being accessible on YouTube and other platforms.
Turning the Whole World is more Flying Nun jangle drone guitar, and an homage to Mary Tyler Moore.
You’re going to turn the whole world ‘round was the refrain from the opening theme song. Is it just me, but is there more than passing resemblance to Sixties Mary and recent PM Ardern?
Alternative band name Jacinda and Mary Chain?
Those classic theme tunes are worked up well with The Sweeney/ The Professionals. Surf music is brought to the fore.
They finish on a cover of the Chemical Brothers Let Forever Be. Glassy toned guitar with wah wah effects. How does it feel like? /To shine on everyone/To let forever be.
Silk Cut certainly have a cool as ice Meninblack demeanour. The cigarette brand is HellBlazer John Constantine’s favourite. It pays to have a little demon blood in your system.
Rev. Orange Peel
Photography by Den
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