Liverpool Carling Academy, 2 April 2005

A few weeks ago I received a modest-looking, monochrome sleeved EP from a Vancouver based all-girl band called The Organ. No major hype, no major record label (unless Sink & Stove Records is big in Canada and, of course, Japan). Katie Sketch (vocals), Debora Cohen (guitar), Ashley Webber (bass), Jenny Smith (Hammond), and Shelby Stocks (drums) make up the band and have created a unique lo-fi brand of pop/rock that hooked me big-time. Musical drama is not what you will find here. In its place is a deadbeat, largely glacially-paced sound that is driven by mood and message. Hammond and drums dominate the instrumental backdrop until Katie Sketch’s voice comes sharply into focus.

Sinking Hearts is the EP’s name and pretty well sums up the sound and vibe. I included one track (We’ve Got To Meet) in an RSL FM Shakenstir radio session here in Wrexham, so taken was I with The Organ. I then found out that the girls were on a short suck n’ see tour here in the UK and caught them on this date at Liverpool’s Carling Academy.

But first a band I have never heard of or seen. The Vagabonds hail from Liverpool although new leadman Billy Singer rocked over from Ireland. The band were in full flight as I entered the venue and, as per usual, after deciding that I wouldn’t worry too much about them, grabbed my camera gear in quick time to catch the antics of this raw rock band.

And it was leadman Singer what done it! Billy Singer is one mean mother-fooking front man. Rasping voice, looks as rough as guts (but handsome with it), energetic, and audience-friendly as they come. In fact, the ideal punk rock fronter.

I think my photos tell the story, or at least part of it. You see, while Billy Boy shook, shimmied, stalked and sang, around him Wayne Fleet (drums), Phillip Atkinson (guitar) and John Coley (bass) provided a unified and skilled instrumental foundation.

The small audience lapped it up, including The Organ girls who stood stage-front with their statuesque and very attractive manager Linda. play a bluesy, punky rock style and, on the basis of this performance, like to do it live. The guys are touring again shortly so if you like your rock raw like Sushi, check ‘em out - you won’t be disappointed.

Lovely Linda spotted me photographing and came over to introduce herself and check out the name of my magazine. In seconds she was called away to gather up the girls to organise the stage set-up, and within ten-minutes the opening chords slowly dripped down.

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If you’ve seen Bill Callaghan (Smog) or Will Oldham perform then you’ll understand when I say this band were cemented to the spot like the Tower Bridge. Animated they are not although Sketch did manage to unshackle her hands (a bit), show some facial expression, and even go walkabout on the odd occasion.

But for the band to do anything else while performing their kind of music would have represented sacrilege of the most heinous kind. And boy did it work. I watched the very beautiful Cohen on guitar (very photogenic you understand) and she has to win the prize for keeping the same deadpan facial expression for the whole show.

The show started with the downbeat and melodic Time To Go (from the EP) and the girls seemed to get quickly into their stride. The next song, Sudden Death, was new to me but comes from the same ‘life sucks, wrist slashing’ stable as the songs on the EP and was great, although the sound quality of the venue was not the best. Sinking Hearts was more upbeat, in fact it bounced along with Sketch giving a suitably detached, strong vocal performance.

More ‘new’ songs followed - Basement Band, Memorize The City - and I understand that these songs are actually featured on the band’s full Canadian album release. Then my album favourite We’ve Got To Meet with its single line lyric, strong Hammond and drum backing, and Sketch giving the sort of performance that made a one-liner sound like a deeply descriptive chapter.

Finishing on two more unknown songs (Steven Smith and Bells) I concluded that this unique-sounding band is likely to build a major underground following, and it’s probably where the girls want to be. You should check out the EP and if the girls return here for a second tour, try to catch them. You won’t be disappointed.