Thursday 03/12/09 The Horrors @ Nottingham Rescue Rooms

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Forgive me for stating the obvious but it would be quite fair to say 2009 has been an unmitigated success for The Horrors. Largely written off as little more than a novelty band on the back of 2007’s ‘Strange House’ long player, a record that seemed to rape the same carcass as fellow cartoon garage punks The Hives and The Caesars beforehand. This year’s transformation into one of the most original, innovative and forward-thinking groups on the planet courtesy of the pretty-much flawless ‘Primary Colours’ was something nobody could have predicted even as little as twelve months ago. That they’ve turned the initial spate of adversity into a cauldron of adorning respect, even from those who actually get off on their elitist musical pretensions can only be seen as a triumph, not to mention testament to their resilience and determination.

However, there have still been a few question marks over whether they can replicate ‘Primary Colours’ and its numerous layers and overdubs live. Certainly this summer’s late afternoon slot at Field Day proved something of an anti-climax, while their set at La Route Du Rock was strangely subdued bearing in mind the esteemed company they shared top billing with. In fact, despite ‘Primary Colours’ emerging some seven months ago, this is their first real UK tour promoting the record, and with an All Tomorrow’s Parties appearance to look forward to in 48 hours time, one could even consider this opening night as something of a warm-up for the more prestigious event on the South-West coast.

Openers HTRK set the scene admirably, their percussion-heavy industrial noise oozing an enigmatic quality, not least due to Jonnine Standish and her haunting vocal. Sounding like a long lost cousin of Einsturzende Neubaten or ‘Children Of God’ era Swans, it’s a startling entrée for those who’ve braved the early start times, even if some people – possibly drawn here by The Horrors past rather than present guise – look physically repulsed at the disturbing sounds emanating from the stage.

Of course all is forgiven when The Horrors appear, not looking that dissimilar to their formative styling, but sounding like a totally different band all the same. Nine of the ten pieces that make up ‘Primary Colours’ are aired this evening, the only absentee being ‘Do You Remember’, and while it is difficult to pinpoint just one highlight in a collection of so many, the reverb heavy ‘Three Decades’, clarion call of ‘New Ice Age’ and climactic three-songs-in-one opus ‘Sea Within A Sea’ pretty much characterise their new found status, not to mention dispel any fears that they can’t cut it live.

For the encore, The Horrors return to their roots somewhat, offering a dizzying rendition of Suicide’s ‘Ghost Rider’ followed by a succession of songs off the much lambasted ‘Strange House’ – ‘Count In Fives’, ‘Sheena Is A Parasite’ and ‘Gloves’ – that oddly work quite well even in such a vastly contrasting context to when they were initially written some four years previous. All in all, tonight’s show is amiable proof that The Horrors have developed into one of the most enthralling, mesmerising bands in the country, and with time and age still on their side, their future prospects are increasingly boundless.