Bit By Bats

Despite the tiny, packed Spectrum being treated to a lengthy sound-check from the headlining act – Bit by Bats – it was a surprise to find their album launch didn’t run more smoothly.

Lead vocalist/guitarist Owen Eszeki was having ‘amp issues’. That sorted, he strides over to bassist, Peter J Gravestock and mouthes ‘Where the f$#@ are we?’

Looking a bit flustered, he steps over to the microphone, listens to the beat, then plunges straight into -

‘Put on your pointy shoes/And your dress so tight/ Go upstairs and talk to the DJ’ The intro to the very catchy ‘Dance the dance’.

Is it just me, or does the word ‘dance’ used in a song, make you want to do exactly that?

Bit by bats are an interesting sight to behold – Gravestock with his shoulder-length hair falling over his face – a vision of cousin it concentrating on producing the thumping, melodic bass & competent backing vocals through a dark blonde curtain.

Then there was Eszeki with his tall, imposing frame; black jeans & shirt with cut-off sleeves, with blood red patent pointy shoes.

A girl beside me comments he looks very ‘Grease lighnin’ and I have to agree. Though I was disappointed at the absence of his trademark red cravat!

His vocal style is undeniably a combination of Robert Smith and early Bono – impassioned, almost breathy vocals, leaving off the ends of words for a casual effect. Bit by bats play youthful, exuberant rock which borders on melancholy at times.

The Cure influence is obvious, but there is also a hint of the Kaiser Chiefs Brit-rock but without the razor-sharp lyrics, coupled with the yearning of Joy Division.

As I mentioned above, this gig was the album launch for their recently released debut LP ‘Go, Go Go!’ on indie label, Shiny Records.

Eszeki assured the crowd they would have a unique experience, as ‘we will never play this set list again, as is!’ They played the album through, start to finish.

‘All night’ had heads bopping, with that catchy refrain ‘Blue eyes, blue eyes/She’s got blue eyes again’. It’s one of 3 songs borrowed, or reused from their 2004 and 2005 EP releases.

‘Neon Flux’ got a nod of recognition from the crowd, and the wailing of ‘Maurie and Marie’ was also a favourite.

There were some interesting infusions of electronica – Eszeki played the Theremin with the head of his guitar. At one point, the crowd was searching the stage for the xylophone sound – then realised it was coming from the electronic pads of drummer Ben Macklin – whose otherwise tight & energetic drumming set the tone of the gig.

A very amusing encore ensued – as someone from backstage proceeded to hoist the bassist onto his shoulders, mid-song and walk around in front of the stage. To his credit, Gravestock didn’t miss a note!

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