Spector have returned after 18 months in the studio with a run of live shows and new material to showcase. And it’s been 18 months well spent.
Pulsing synths opened the night at London's 100 Club for ‘Lately It’s You (Moth Boys)’ but we're only just getting started. “We’ve been away for a little while, but we’re back,” says Fred Macpherson, and the song builds tempo to head for the first indie disco throwdown of the night. A massive cheer meets ‘Don’t Make Me Try’ and Macpherson leans over the audience as if daring them - the crowd’s reaction brings a huge smile to constantly dancing bassist Thomas Shickle's face.
The new material has been written by Macpherson and new guitarist Jed Cullen and it already seems to be well-loved. Tonight’s the first night out for ‘Kyoto Garden’, a slower song, but it’s the new single ‘All The Sad Young Men’ that gets the biggest reaction - even over ‘Chevy Thunder’ - the crowd picking up the song after a couple of notes, making Macperson barely audible above them all.
The rhythmic delivery of the humblebrag lyrics - see ‘Bad Boyfriend’: “I’m a good listener, just wait until I’m talking…If you think you’re lonely now just wait until we’re alone..." - are not only well constructed but delivered with considerable gusto. They're met with accusatory fingers pumping the air, their owners’ heads thrown back at every chance they get to yell the words out into the world.
But it’s Spector's showmanship that’s the main thing about the night. Macpherson dances the length of the stage, and by the end it’s probably only the people in the dark at the back that he hasn’t tried to make eye contact with and bring that bit further into the performance.
Admittedly the band weren’t perfect - but not through any fault of their own, unless they get their kicks from being self-saboteurs and turning it around, as the keyboard gives up towards the end of the set. To fill time while they try to get this sorted, Cullen plays an impromptu rendition of Red Hot Chilli Peppers’ ‘Under The Bridge’ which the crowd gladly sings along with.
Seemingly not wanting to let anyone down, Macpherson becomes a crazed one man band trying to keep the audience entertained, saying “You’ll have to join in with me on the keyboard parts,” which he sings as well as the lyrics of ‘Strong Look’, touring drummer Johan from Lyon joining in. The words “I don’t know why it ended like it did” become poignant, but Spector handles the situation like pros, so eager not to let their loyal audience down.
As the band come back together for another play of ‘Chevy Thunder’ the old drummer now keyboard player Danny Blandy sits looking dejectedly at his keyboard, willing his instrument back to life. It’s the tenacity of Spector's show must go on attitude that’s not just prevented what could have been a bad situation, but made the night, and emphasised what a great live band they are.
Spector played:
1. Lately It's You (Moth Boys)
2. Don't Make Me Try
3. Decade of Decay
4. 20 Nothing
5. Kyoto Garden
6. Stay High
7. Celestine
8. Bad Boyfriend
9. Cocktail Party
10. Chevy Thunder
11. Never Fade Away
12. All The Sad Young Men
13. Under The Bridge
14. Chevy Thunder
Spector are currently on tour, including playing Gigwise's stage at Live At Leeds (alongside Swim Deep and The Strypes). For details visit here.
