Josephine / Flying Matchstick Men


Get password
login

GET A ROOM, Glasgow Brunswick Hotel
This was one of those nights that seems to come out of nowhere. There were whispered words, a rumble of “Franz Ferdinand!” and “Bloc Party!”, and a notion that the £15 ticket price would be going to a good home (Oxfam). There were lists of bands flying up on ‘secret’ websites, a mumble of ‘chateaux!’ and suddenly it was sold out.
Brunswick Hotel was an unlikely venue for such a night. It may be fabulous inside, and host a number of cool live and club nights, but it remains unavoidably small. This was my first question – where were we all going to go? But, after passing the live set from Samba Ya Bamba on the street outside, and the dwarf bouncer stepped aside (very Twin Peaks), it all became extremely clear - we were just going to have to breathe in!
The bar on ground level was first stop, to order Vodka Red Bulls and check out the clientele. Music was provided by Bebado, a mixture of beats that helped kick off the night, accompanied by visuals on the far wall. Someone somewhere mentioned something about the ‘Penthouse’ and we were off, finding the lift, finding the floor, and soon enveloped in the cool sounds of The Buff. Wandering around were various Club Noir types, the Ring Master keeping time with his cane, and a perfectly plastic pink usherette selling CDs for £1, proceeds to Sudan.
Tea House Tchai Ovna had a spot in the upper floor of the Penthouse, selling tea and tobacco to Roomers relaxing on Persian rugs, and the music shifted to live jazz trumpet as the DJ kept spinning out the soul.
Back out, delving into the depths, and we had already missed the curiously named AKA The Fox, and Glasvegas. In time to see Flying Matchstick Men, then, at 1am. Their set followed a stomping Josephine set, and it was hard not to notice Franz’s Alex and Nick checking out the local competition whilst the ‘Phine mixed up new tracks, EP tracks (‘5521’ and ‘Out of Our Week’) and a couple of old faves, ending with a raucous ‘This is Not an Exit’.
Flying Matchstick Men exploded onto stage as the final chords rang, keeping up the euphoric atmosphere, launching straight into their brand of electro indie glam. ‘Don’t Be Ridiculous’ was as fast as they’ve ever played, drummer Mark looking like a man possessed as he battered through, singer Graham gesticulating wildly. Highlights were ‘Trying to be Picasso’, ‘Duvet’ and new song ‘Look Good’, their Beatles number, which brought the set to a polished – if overwhelmingly tongue-in-cheek – end.
Remains of the night? Lost to Penthouse platitudes and Bloc-ed barbarisms. Oxfam’ll be pleased.
(Misty O)