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The Cooper Temple Clause...
review
I confess I hadn't heard anything by The Cooper Temple Clause before going to see them live at the Concorde 2 on Tuesday - a shocking admission sure to earn tuts of disdain from hardcore Cooper Temple Clause fans (who are legion, I discovered), but I liked the idea of seeing a band fresh, responding to what I heard and saw with virgin ears. And this is surely one of the great things about the Brighton gig scene - famously omitted from many touring schedules because we're so close to London, we do however get the chance to
see up and coming bands at venues like Concorde 2 and The Free Butt before they hit paydirt - all within walking distance and often for less than a tenner.
Maybe it was just hearing the name around, but I'd got a whiff of Cooper Temple Clause that sparked my interest, and so I found myself eagerly awaiting their arrival on-stage whilst the support band whose name I didn't catch ploughed through some Verve-esque tunes, all mysteriously ending with
the tribute "Cheers Brian!" due to the singer's lost consonants. They were soon ushered from the stage and after a flurry of surprisingly slender roadie activity The Cooper Temple Clause assumed their positions.
Cooper Temple Clause sound to my ears like early Manic Street Preachers and later Primal Scream circa "Xtrmntr" crossed with something altogether heavier, more relentless and psychedelic even, lead singer Ben Gautrey in
the meantime possessing Liam Gallagher's huskiness (minus the slappable swagger) and Kurt Cobain's angsty growl. The band had a passion and earnestness
consistent with the desperation and hunger for action borne of growing up in a boring satellite town like Reading as they did. Cooper Temple Clause seem to inspire a similar passion in their fans, whipping the pogoing crowd into a frenzy with searchlights aimed at the throng and a healthy dose of
guitar-wielding.
All too soon I was thrust into the epicentre of the moshpit, valiantly attempting to continue taking photos as I was elbowed by flailing sweaty bodies cavorting joyously amid the thunderous bass and white noise. I can't list all the songs they played - I'd never heard them before, remember
(hardcore fans: "tut") - but sure as eggs is eggs they'll have played their top 40 hit "Let's Kill Music" and undoubtedly a fair few tracks from their debut album "See It Through And Leave" and the new album not yet released.
So there you have it . White noise. Thunderous bass. Surprisingly slender roadies. I don't think The Cooper Temple Clause will change my life, but for many there they seemed to have the makings of a vital, influential band.
For more info on The Cooper Temple Clause see www.coopertempleclause.com and for forthcoming Concorde 2 gigs see REALBrighton's Concorde2 profile page or visit www.concorde2.co.uk.
about Concorde 2
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Okay, so you may have to walk a bit to reach it... but that just makes it that little bit more exclusive doesn't it! Located along Madeira Drive, the Concorde 2 is a sizeable venue with a huge variety of clubnights and bands on each month. Some top names, some great festivals, World Music... you name it. If you can't find something to pique your interest then you might as well pack your bags and head for Eastbourne... The next Concorde 2 date for your diary:
Sunday, 7th September
Summer Slaughter UK
Click for more info and complete listings for Concorde 2 
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The Village Street Party 2008
