GIGS IN OCTOBER 2007

OXJAM, CAMBORNE (27TH OCTOBER)

NERVOSA

(Reviewed by Matt S)

A mini version of a circus big top near a disused mine in Camborne, late on a damp and dark afternoon was the setting for the first full live electric performance for Nervosa, the St Austell band for all seasons.

Sandwiched between the accomplished Suite Noir and the well supported Shrug, the fact that 6-member Nervosa set-up and fitted themselves onto the small stage was achievement itself. That they then produced a skillful and captivating performance on what was essentially their debut was something more. From the moment that the rhythm section (Drummer Ant Barrett and bassist Bryn Powell) got their groove down in Crazy Bass, the introduction to their first ‘song’, the catchy Breathe In, the crowd stopped chatting, comparing war scars and rolling cigarettes, and became captivated by the group playing in front of them.

Breathe In, a sometimes haunting track that showcases a broad range of the band members’ talents, introduced the crowd to frontman Jon Winter’s intoxicating voice (some say part Brian Molko, part Billy Corgan, he probably wouldn’t), and they were hooked. The girl up the silks in front of the stage (the event part organized by CircoKernow) was good value but could never quite compete with what was going on on stage. The next track, Lullaby uses a gentle organ melody (played by Alex Perry) alongside a tremolo-ing mandolin to set the scene for a boisterous chorus that just about snaps everyone back into the room from the seaside daydreams of the verse. 42 Pigeons, powered by the electric Barrett behind the kit, erupted in a flash of guitar and mandolin, and was especially notable for Beccy Melling’s mandolin solo that gave the song a calm against the torrent. Funky Moped presented a more chilled view of the band, with the panoramic guitar sounds between verses a great example of the band’s inventiveness.

There then followed a remarkable rolling triplet of tracks that potentially demonstrated Nervosa’s ability to become live entertainers with a bit of extra pizzazz. The initially melancholic It’s Over slowly built until, before anyone knew it, they were in the middle of a progressive movement reminiscent of late 60s Pink Floyd, and then it suddenly collapsed brilliantly into the anthemic Black Box with its powerfully evocative chorus tagged between bright and breezy verses. The Chinaski Effect, a tribute to the sadly defunct St. Austell band, came in with its simple verse and melodic chorus, and even featured guitarist and sound whiz kid Andy Cunningham encouraging an enthralled audience to clap along at the breakdown!

Nervosa finished with Gripped, possibly their most accomplished performance of them all, with a powerful vocal from Winter, a harmonious combination of guitars, mandolin and organ bestowing a depth of sound unusual in any band, unsigned or not, in this day and age. It was pushed along by a driven rhythm section that doesn’t allow any verse, chorus or bridge to drag behind a pace that keeps band and audience on their toes all the way through. And that seems to be one of their strengths – as a clearly rather talented group of musicians it would seem easy to produce tracks of great musical worth, if not of interest to most listeners. That they combine great musicianship with considered songwriting that allows the listener to enjoy the various talents on show without becoming bored or overawed by exaggerated solos or other frivolity stands Nervosa in good stead, for entertainment is the primary objective of all music (or should be), and these guys left an enthusiastic crowd truly entertained!

(Photos from Nervosa)

www.myspace.com/nerv0sa