Bernard Butler- The Dashboard Hoola Girl for Indie Kids

The Tears
Astoria, London- 16/02/05

The Astoria was irritatingly smokey.

Andreea and I got there a bit early. Tragically, we did catch The Magic Numbers who were dreadfully M.O.R and dull. I was baffled to see people dancing to their dribble. Clearly people who know naught about dancing.

Welsh David joined us. He was wearing stripes. He looked adorable. Not that it has anything to do with the Tears but they did keep us waiting until nearly 10pm so I need to look at something.

It was irritating as I had been waiting for more than 10 years to see Brett Anderson and Bernard Butler perform together on stage. Although I had seen suede many a time before, it was only after Bernard left the band.

Finally the lights dimmed, and there was movement on stage. The crowded started cheering and applauding; which is rather amazing considering The Tears have yet to release a single and hadn't played a single note.

We were about 3 rows deep to the left of the stage if you are facing it. Nathan Fisher, the very stoned looking bassist, was in front of us. Initially Bernard was on that side of the stage, strangely placing keyboards for the first track.

Brett Anderson was of course in the middle and looking sexier than he has in a long time. His fair was shiny, his smile boyish and his shirt neatly pressed and tucked in.

They started with a slow song, Love As Strong As Death- a powerful and confident choice for an opener. I was gagging to see Bernard on guitar, as I'd never seen him live before but I waiting. Brett's voice was clear and powerful, simply gorgeous. Some idiot screamed "Awful", it was kinda funny, and people laughed. The band ignored him, but the audience started cheering early to show The Tears that most of us didn't think it was awful at all.

The second song was far more upbeat and Bernard just ripped into it with his guitar, wanting attention, adulation. Brett seemed amused (bemused!) by this, sometimes slightly baffled but generally relaxed. This was pretty much how it was for the entire show.

The next few tracks I thought were ok, could be growers. It's hard to say when it's the first time you hear a song. I was just amazed to see these two on stage together. It's something that I'd waited for since 1993. I wasn't disappointed. I was captivated for the whole show. I was not bored for one minute.

The band (well not sure about Nathan who seemed to be in his own little world the whole time) gave it their all. They wanted to be there, they wanted to give the best show they could and they seemed to really appreciate the audiences positive reactions.

The chemistry between Brett and Bernard was fantastic, if sometimes awkward. Bernard would saddle right up to Brett, Brett tried to ignore him but you could see him smiling or looking a bit confused. I still find Brett amazingly charismatic, and he had an uncharactertic calmness to his presence this time around.

Bernard did his rock god posses, played with one hand, wiggled his hips like a hoola doll, kicked at Brett, bent over, was nearly on his knees and strutted. If he weren't the most amazing guitarist I have ever seen perform, I would say he was mad. Actually, I still think he's mad but he can get away with as he has the talent to make up for it.

I also really liked the drummer. He seemed really happy to be there!

Brett at one point announced "We're supposed to be that band that apparently only sings about motorways, pigs and ?", which seemed to be an allusion to suede. I found that a bit odd, but thrilling as well.

The slower songs like Apollo 13, the Ghost of You and other tracks I am not sure the name off, are definately their strong point. Brett's voice is emotional put controlled, powerful but gentle. Absolutely gorgeous. Bernard controlled the guitar as if it were alive and under his spell. Superb.

Brett announced that Apollo 13 will be the first single.

He also had carnations thrown at him, quite hard! but he laughed it off. He was much smilier and friendly with the crowd than when he performed in suede. He didn't act like the audience owed him anying as he was prone to.

He does need to work on some of the lyrics though, but I see potential in what he is doing.

The faster tracks were quite good too, it's the kinda in between ones that are a bit dubious.

My favourite track was the last one, the encore: Ghost of You. I agree with the speculation on the fansite that this song is about the relationship between the singer and the guitarist. They even glanced at each other during the performance in a somber, knowing way (or did I imagine that?), and it seemed very emotionally raw.

I think The Tears have great potential, which they are still developing. They are a very new band and people are expecting incredible things from them. I hope the pressure doesn't cause the whole thing to implode before it blooms. I fear they won't get the slack and ability to grow that other new bands are allowed. It would be a great shame, because I think they could be amazing.