James Arden checks out the garage rockers latest album.
The Christian rock band from Brighton bring religion to the masses.
Recipe for modern R'n'B album: liberal helpings of guest rappers and an overdose of sexual euphemisms.
His style is distinctive and exceptional, his instruments are home-made and fascinating and his live act will not disappoint.
His music has been described by Dazed & Confused as being “A trip to the frayed edges of sanity” and it is clear to see why. It is difficult to describe the genre of music but suffice it to say that it will be like nothing you have heard before. A mix of garage rock, country, electro, and musical show tunes. His storytelling is also worthy of note; truly a remarkable songwriter with astonishing theatricality.
What is a certainty is that it is well worth seeing and will be a great night out.
The main reasons, however, for his uniqueness are his instruments. They are individual creations with the most fantastic names. The Hornicator is a Victorian gramophone horn with many modern additions. The Backbeater can best be described as a back-pack drum kit. It gives Thomas the illusion of having wings, and it does not take much imagination to see him flying mid-set.
Mary Poppins is next. He does not have Julie Andrews on stage; it is more of a spinning top. It combines spoons, playing cards and a motorcycle headlamp, it stands at the back of the stage and adds great accompaniment to many of his songs with a strong beat.
The two finest inventions, however, are the Stringaling and Sister Spinster. The Stringaling is indescribable: it has a tube from a clothes dryer attached and several wires. He hands a wire to an audience member and then it is plucked. The tension of the wire is changed to make it a series of haunting notes. Then there is Sister Spinster. It is a drum kit but one that does not need a drummer. Using bicycle wheels to great effect, the drums are played with a set of cogs with rods sticking out that hit the drums in time with the song. Amazing.
Truax has several solo albums, his latest being called Why Dogs Howl at the Moon; which is also one of his most mesmerising songs (and also the one with a great deal of audience participation). Other titles likely to be on offer include Inside the Internet and Prove it to my Daughter but what is a certainty is that it is well worth seeing and will be a great night out.
Thomas Truax is playing at City Screen Basement on 8th December. Tickets are now on sale for £5.
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