Tempersflare with Sproose Moose
Saturday 9th November, Indigo Alley
“Oh, that was the soundcheck”. I had just enjoyed Sproose Moose running through a song and was surprised they all then put their instruments down and went to mingle with their friends. It was Friday night at Indigo Alley and two bands from Bridlington were playing for free, making a total of three free local punk gigs in Scarborough in a fortnight. Is there now a scene?
Indigo Alley has a great live music vibe. It is a casual pub, getting its own regulars of alternatively dressed creatives, all with a thirst for beer and music. Its wooden paneling on the walls dampens the noise from the drums and amps meaning bands can actually have a decent sound quality. This means you can hear the chords and vocals, making a more enjoyable gig going experience.
Sproose Moose took to the stage, this time for their actual set. Guitar music feels like it is in a postmodern period and Sproose Moose exemplify this. The band describe themselves as “energetic ramshackle Indie-rock-folk-punk” which is a fair description. The sound was like early noughties alternative rock, a la Smashing Pumpkins, then with a 1970s influence in the melodies, but played like they were secretly a garage punk band trying to restrain themselves. There was no posturing or bravado, the guitarist even apologised for wearing sunglasses on stage stating “they are prescription” and despite this, or even because of this, still were cool. They played with a smile and you watched with a smile. There is a happiness in their performance and you can sense a bond between their members through their music. Sproose Moose are instantly likeable and engaging with memorable songs which you want to hear again. They just love playing their songs and we love them for that.
I was starting to take Tempersflare’s gig schedule a little personally. I had wanted to watch them for a while but every time they played I was already booked to do something else. I felt like they had access to my diary and didn’t want me at their gigs. Luckily it was coincidence rearing its head and finally I got to see them in the flesh. When the band described themselves, they said, rather depreciatively “you know, we are into the old stuff so that’s what we do”. However, this wasn’t the tired sound of the past being flogged like a dead horse. Old School punk rock bands are a dime a dozen, playing different versions of the same songs, but Tempersflare don’t do that. True, there is an undoubted nod to the Dead Kennedys and Nomeansno in their sound, which is no bad thing. Few have attempted it and of those that have, most haven’t done it well. Tempersflare do it well. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a tribute band, Tempersflare sound like Tempersflare. The Kennedys may influence their sound but they weave in elements of hardcore punk, garage rock and Californian surf rock and – despite all the American things I am naming as their influence – they sound like they belong on the North East Coast.
Occasionally they noodle into a fuzz of trance prog rock before bringing it back to that driving punk rock pound of the drums. I imagine you could pick this trio up while they are in rehearsal and plonk them onstage to a sold out Wembley and they would play exactly the same way, which is exactly how they want to play. They were in their world making their noise and you are privileged to be the ones watching it. Lets hope that they choose another night that doesn’t clash with my diary to play because I want to be there again!
Tempersflare
Tempersflare
Sproose Moose Band
Sproose Moose Band
