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► The Smiths Indeed @ Clwb (Gig review)
GRAB Promotions Presents… The Smiths Indeed
Clwb ifor Bach
13/03/10
By Nathan Chubb
Cover band The Smiths Indeed toured in aid of the 25th anniversary of ‘Meat is Murder’, The Smiths’ second album, their only effort to reach the top spot in the UK charts.
The crowd eagerly anticipated this gig, 25 years in the making ready to hear ‘Meat is Murder’ in its entirety and hoping to be treated to more Smiths classics. The lights dimmed, the apprentice opening music blasted out, and with an air of arrogance The Smiths Indeed took to the stage, led by the flower wielding Morrissey lookalike Jurgen Wendelen. The set predictably opened with ‘The Headmasters Ritual’; and the crowd were taken back to 1985 to the familiar sound of Morrissey’s charismatic heartfelt lyrics accompanied by some innovative stylish cord for cord guitar work courtesy of McKelvie (covering Johnny Marr). The Smiths Indeed were merciless with their mimicking of The Smiths animal rights album, with Wendelen delivering pitch perfect vocals, together with the trademark Morrissey look. A pensive mood struck the crowd throughout the rendition of ‘Meat is Murder’.
After a short break the band returned armed with fresh Chrysanthemums, and led way with ‘Panic’; Clwb erupting into song with the words ‘Hang the DJ’ ringing round the room. A set of classics, from the majestic ‘Girlfriend In A Coma’, to pioneering sound of McKelvies guitar plucking of ‘Bigmouth Strikes Again’. Every song with Wendelen awkwardly flailing round the stage in the style of the great Morrissey himself, bellowing out poignant lyrics.
The people were given more of what they wanted in the encore, ‘This Charming Man’ followed by ‘There Is A Light That Never Goes Out’. However I was left feeling short changed, not having heard other favourite Smiths songs, such as ‘Please, Please, Please’ and ‘Cemetery Gates’.
A Smiths cover band could be nothing less than perfect for the quiff wearing idolising fans that appeared in Clwb. Fortunately Wendelen and co performed a nostalgic set which would make even Morrissey proud of the commitment and knowledge of such an influential band.
Retro's Rating: 2:1
