Telegraphs’ recent single ‘We Dance in Slow Motion’ piqued my interest in this Brighton-based four-piece, and as they were playing practically on my doorstep, it seemed rude not to check them out live. I knew nothing of Lights Action other than that they sounded ok from the snippets on their MySpace page.
Local lads Alive by Fire had the job of warming up the crowd for the touring acts, and before they played a note it was clear that they’re a typical college band with a rentacrowd in tow. The teenage singer’s got a nice belly coming on and can’t leave his crotch alone. The guitarist’s wearing an AC/DC glitter T-shirt and they all sport fashionable sideways haircuts. And the sound’s appalling. The drum kit sounds like a drum machine being run through the wrong channel of the PA. And their songs sound very Lostprophets and feature widdly guitar solos and squealy notes. What’s going on?
My friend explains that this is the future of music, thanks to games like Guitar Hero. The prospect fills me with dread.
Still, they battle though the shockingly bad mix and considering it’s only their second gig, they play pretty tightly and with no shortage of confidence.
The other week I was a tad critical of what I considered a rather clumsy drum fill in the middle of the Telegraphs track ‘We Dance in Slow Motion’ - which I’ve had in my head more than once or twice over the last few days. But there’s nothing remotely clumsy about tonight’s set. That isn’t to say that they’re overly slick or produced sounding, although the sound does improve immensely in both volume and clarity compared to the first act. Telegraphs are tight alright, and attack the songs with real vigor. There’s something that’s hard to define, but unquestionably exciting about the band dynamic: the combination of driving guitars, some chugging bass and vocal interplay between Darcy Harrison and Hattie Williams (ok, not the most rock ‘n’ roll of names, but they look the part and, most importantly, deliver the goods sonically). They end the set, which is short, punchy and consistently uptempo, with a triumphant rendition of the single. Great stuff.
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Nothing up to this had really prepared me for Light Action. For starters, it was hard to believe they were playing through the same shoddy PA that’s left me disappointed and frustrated after so many gigs at Fibbers over the years. Yes, they’re slick, polished, but also rather good. And while the crowd is small, it’s clear that the front row think they’re seriously good, singing along to every song, knowing every last word. It’s perhaps not entirely surprising that they should have acquired such devoted fans. The set is varied and textured, although distinctly US college rock in style, with elements of 80s AOR (think Mr Mister, think Cutting Crew).
Ordinarily, US college rock isn’t my bag, but Lights Action have songs that are well crafted and present a degree of emotional depth beyond the standard self pity boy-girl scenarios common to the genre. They throw in a cover of Sam Sparro’s ‘Black and Gold,’ a song I detest. And I find myself actually enjoying it! No, I’m not drunk, as the beer’s far too expensive in Fibbers for more than a couple all night. I can only conclude that Light Action are a convincing live act, and a rather well-kept secret. But don’t be too surprised if they’re not secret for long – chances are you’ll be hearing them on the soundtrack to something like 90210 in the not too distant future.
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