If you haven’t already you should read the Jets to Zurich review first as this one follows on from it, and as you read this please take in to account that I am doing this entirely from memory as instead of sitting by the door, like I was during the Jets to Zurich’s set, I was taking pictures, so I didn’t take any notes and therefore can’t remember any of the track names or other specific details.

What I can remember is that The StopMotion Men’s set was astounding.  They are a highly original band, with an innovative take on the traditional gig.  For example the drummer has only one cymbal, no rack toms, a piano and a laptop.  When I first saw this I will be honest and say that my first thought was “what the fuck?”, but it works perfectly and calls into question all those really funny jokes about drummers.

This perfect blend of man, instrument and computer creates a truly incredible sound that rises you up, then lowers you down, then takes you back up again, constantly changing and evolving throughout the set.  Sometimes it’s fast, sometimes it’s slow, sometimes it’s soft and sometimes it hits you round the head like a sledgehammer and it leaves you wondering “what’s coming next?”  The answer to which is: “I don’t know what’s coming next, but I sure as hell hope it’s some more of whatever the fuck that just was.”

The songs are exceptionally well written, and they actually sound like the band took the time to write them properly, rather than just bang out any old song, stick a name on it and play it badly at the next gig, something that is far too common an occurrence with most bands.

In short, the set was awesome, the band was awesome, the experience was awesome and, like I said in the Jets to Zurich review, if more than 18 people had turned up I’m sure they would have gotten the crowd going.  

Oh yeah, they signed my poster as well, result!

www.myspace.com/stopmotionmen