Dead Frenchmen @ The SpanishClub, Melbourne (03/03/2007)

Tue 6th Mar, 2007 in Gig Reviews

Much has been written in interviews about Dead Frenchmen, the classic indie-gloom bands of the 1980s that they supposedly sound like and Michael Pledger’s vocal similarity to The Smiths‘ Morrissey. In fact it is usually the first thing one learns about the band, and it certainly shaped this reviewer’s approach to the recent launch for their debut album, Wonderland. But to the band’s credit, on the night they showed that sure, like most other bands they have influences that infiltrate their music, but essentially they have placed their own stamp on their music and added a lot of their personalities and experiences to make it their own.

Support band Tic Toc Tokyo were a perfect suit for Dead Frenchmen, in music and style. Their short, sharp songs characterised by heavy bass and a dark, new wave mood, pleased the highly fashionable indie audience, who reveled in Tic Toc Tokyo’s set as much as they did with the main act. One notable aspect of Tic Toc Tokyo’s performance was their confidence in this larger venue and tight set, which I suspect has been perfected through constant gigging in smaller venues.

The Spanish Club was slow to fill, and by the time Dead Frenchmen began their set there was still the odd gap to be seen on the floor. Maybe it was an ambitious choice of venue for the young band but the loyalty and enthusiasm displayed by the audience made up for this. They launched into Brave New World casually, like they had been playing for the last half hour. As one of the more vibrant songs from their otherwise melancholy set, its heavy bass and sharp, jangly guitars took precedence over Pledger’s sleepy vocals.

When Pledger’s droning vocals on Sweetness and Light stole the stage it became apparent from where the Smiths comparisons emanated. Then there was my niggling curiosity as to whom I was hearing in their music: the melodic, sharp guitars and dark ambience effortlessly brought Joy Division to mind. That’s it! That’s where they are coming from! Similarities aside, Dead Frenchmen offer their own honest and genuine interpretation of their musical inspiration. Their songs are strong and clearly well thought out compositions that provide a most welcome emergence of this musical genre to the Melbourne live music scene. The band’s music embodies, in 2007, all that was/is good about the post punk, indie scene of early Britain circa 1980.

In keeping with the mellow nature of their music, their stage presence was hardly electrifying, with very few words offered to the audience. They ended Language of Bones with an intense jam that upped the pace of the guitars and drums, probably the most spectacular moment of the night (along with the constantly evolving, highly colourful background images). And in keeping with the uptempo ending to their set, closing track Tokyo showed there is more life to this band than their droning melancholy image suggests.