Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong, Team Waterpolo, Cheeky, Cheeky and the Nosebleeds - 24th January 2008
Reviewed by Martin Stapleton
The first Hungry Bears gig of 2008 sees current NME favourites Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong play to a packed Esquires (reasonably priced at £6.50, it must also be noted). The band may have its detractors, but in front man Joe (Lean) Beaumont they might have Borrell in the making. Although only in his mid-twenties, he has already carved out an acting career (his facial features remind me of a young Gary Oldham) as well as a stint as The Pipettes drummer. The rest of the band are comprised of Dom O’Dare (guitar), Tom Dougall (guitar), ‘Panda’ (bass) and, I kid you not, ‘Bummer’ the drummer.
An expectant and excited crowd swarm to the front as the band arrive on stage. As they begin, I am instantly drawn to the rockabilly swing of ‘Tough Terrible’. ‘I Ain’t Sure’ possesses a lush retro sixties soulful sound. Prior to the gig tonight the band have been in the recording studio, and will be again tomorrow, as bassist Panda informs me post gig. Naturally the debut single from last autumn ‘Lucio Starts Fires’ gets a rapturous reaction as it starts up, and this does not subside through this three minute ‘dance sensation’. With audience participation enjoyed at every given opportunity, the blitzkrieg ballad on ‘Lonely Buoy’ seals up an interesting and varied set. Once more, here at Esquires, we witness a hyped up band, whether Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong turn that into a successful career is for the future. As Joe tonight sang, ‘loyalties come, loyalties go’.
Guitarist Panda kindly gave me a set list which was as follows,
Tough Terrible
Where Do You Go
I Ain’t Sure
Dear Rose
Lucio Starts Fires
Why Do You Break…
Teenagers
Lonely Buoy
Baby
Support tonight comes firstly from East Anglian lads Cheeky Cheeky and the Nosebleeds. The most noticeable thing about this band is that the vocalist wears a distinctive stripy blazer. As Roar Club supremo Milky remarks to me during their slightly meandering set, they are a poor mans Young Knives.
Raising the pulse rate a lot higher are Preston’s Team Waterpolo. Highlights include the dancey ‘It’s Our Life’ which has a knockout chorus (“it’s our life, it starts tonight”), plus a fine performance of forthcoming debut single ‘Letting Go’. A strange band name but an impressive set.