Review of Oxford gig - by Jose 25th january 2001, oxford, bullingdon arms. I'm always scared and dubious about 'creative writing', especially 'creative writing exercises' Anything with the word exercises in, isn't what i would say, makes me very enthusiastic! But i've been inspired - i really have - by a number of talanted individuals, to basically try and write this review. Being a musican myself, i am, in my old age, finding it increasingly hard not to be so critical when watching other bands perform. Therefore it's always nice to watch a band, where you know certain people involved. Hence i like going to watch toby and his band play because i don't have to be critical, i can just sit back and enjoy. This is whay this review is going to be hard for me. But i have something to say - and this my friends is where the journey of last night begins! We (myself and Kat). Joined the room just in time to see Kowloon, which i'm gonna be brutally honest with you here were, good at what they did, but GOD, did they go on forever! I'm not here to review them so lets move the proceedings on shall we.... We laughed tremendously hard at the compere - the man who said things like - " If you missed these guys earlier last year then your all fucking idiots! Who don't know anything about music!" And at this time we thought he might even shine a disco light down upon us and shout - "Scream if you wanna go faster!" The more interesting thing is, i remember being at the same place early last year(watching toby)thinking exactly the same thing. Once Kowloon had finally finished...toby and the guys, set their stuff up. It took such a long time that i remember thinking - "I wonder if there's something wrong?" And i feel as if i was right. The band were a whole 2'3 songs into their set when toby came out with one of his handful of sarcastic comments aimed at the band before them. We got the feeling that Koloom had played around with the guys instrumnts and equipment before they'd got on stage, making toby 'n' the guys, late in coming on. I also feel as if toby wasn't happy with the atmosphere that this place was gigving out, and that the place wasn't quite the environment he needed at that particular point in time. Asking throughout the set for the audience - 2 to maybe be a little quieter?" The songs were played well and the band were tight. They are that kinda band that i'm easily jealous of, the reason being, i have been in MANY bands and most have been at some point, hard work. An this is what tobyslayter are not! They are effortless, they don't look at each other to see where they are in a song, or to direct them to the end or the middle. They know where they are and they are all cool, calm and collective with it. But i do have to say that when i first saw tobyslater, i remember thinking that i thought thay all looked very separate, even though they were all standing and playing together. They all have their individuality, and so they should, we all have that right. Individuality is a must, but being and looking as if you are a part of a unit, also counts. So maybe it was just last night in particular that it bothered me, or maybe i just think the drummer looked like he wasn't having too much fun. But this after all is my opinion. (but guys please don't take offence) One last thing before i go. Anger is an emotion, and when emotions are high, a performance will be affected in one way or another. This is what happened last night, and i feel it happened for the better. Last night for me was probably the best gig i've seen them play. So my advice to them is, get angry! Playing is the best form of therapy! Or is that writing? comment on this article e-mail this to a friend start a discussion [about i-drive] Problems? Questions? Suggestions? Contact me: mail@tobyslater.com back to top back to contribute section back to home page

back to contribute page comment on this article e-mail this to a friend start a discussion recommend *or condemn* this site to a friend