Brightest Young Things

All words by Gareth Moore
All photos by Faith Desired

Last September I was in Brooklyn to see the New Model Army 30th Anniversary gigs. After the final show I managed to meet Jack Rabid, creator of The Big Takeover magazine and possibly NMA’s greatest champion. We spoke of NMA and the various exceptional groups that went unnoticed by the masses: the Newtown Neurotics, the Ruts, the Chameleons, the Lucy Show, Breathless, Catherine Wheel, etc. Somehow the Joy Formidable became the focus of the conversation. Not only did Rabid proclaim them to be one of best bands around today, perhaps his favorite, but he said they put on an astoundingly good live show. The cognoscenti know that Rabid is a wise man, so if he says this is a special band it means you must check them out.

Although I walked into the show knowing just a few of their songs I must confess that this wasn’t just the best “Rawk & Roll” I’ve seen since the Wedding Present last spring, but this may have tied Delphic as show of the year. Perhaps, as my body recovers and the show continues to loop in my mind, this may be the most fun I’ve had at a show in 2010 (but that may change on Tuesday...bring it on Grinderman). If that can happen without knowing much of their material, then this bunch clearly has talent widely exceeding that of their peers.

From the opening seconds of their show it was difficult not to be captivated by them. Lead guitarist and singer Ritzy Bryan initially appears to be an adorable kid. That idea changed the moment they began to play; she lunged to the front of the stage, wearing a mischievous grin and temptation eyes, and attacked her guitar with the greatest of ease. This woman has tremendous skills. The same goes for the boys in the band: bassist Rhydian Dafydd and drummer Matt Thomas (who, to be fair, are just as dashing as Ritzy is cute). Although I haven’t a clue what constitutes good or bad drumming, Matt occasionally left me spellbound with his performance. He too had a wide-eyed grin that was simultaneously endearing and disturbing (only because that smile would lead to a glorious assault of sound). Rhydian provided strong backing vocals and could follow Ritzy down whatever manic direction she went towards. Both boys matched Ritzy in energy, skill, and genuine love for what they were doing. It was a beautiful sight.

One word proves to be an apt description of their songs: BIG. They manage to make their songs sound truly massive with just the basic instruments: guitar, bass, and drums. Greyhound In The Slips and Austere had the crowd singing along and punching the air. Magnifying Glass was a maniacal blast. All of their songs were laced with infectious elements: the verses, the chorus, the guitar licks; every element uniting as a sweet surge. Their songs already seemed too big for the backstage of the Black Cat; they are ready to seduce the bigger venues and to inspire frenzy at European summer music festivals.

During the interludes of the show we would hear an odd recording. Sometimes it sounded like a mad preacher or a dark poet, a poet who sounded very similar to Ivor Cutler. If that is correct, then the band gets a thousand bonus points. These segments provided a moment’s respite before the onslaught, but they also proved to be an amusing bit of pleasure.

At one point Ritzy marveled at the sight of so many people dancing. To be fair, it was only I and seven other people (give or take a few tourists). However, what we lacked in numbers we made up for with passion and vigor. Whatever new sounds the band expelled upon us was met with psychotic glee, resulting in us hurling ourselves into the sky. I can’t recall the last time I was sent into this state of emotion at a rock show. A few shows this year have sent me into consuming states of dancing, but this was different. This was the classic state of rock & roll, inspiring us to jump around, collide into each other, break everything, and dance ourselves into oblivion. When the show was finally over my dance comrades and I threw our arms around each other and howled into the heavens. I kid you not; this show was so good that all we could do afterward was SCREAM as loud as possible, over and over, until we collapsed...which we did.

All of this leads me to view the Joy Formidable as a mysterious entity. For all of the bands around today who try to be adventurous but come up short (due to over-thinking, a lack of tunes, or excessive ego), this band stands far away from the pack. They have everything a good band needs and more: quality songs, catchy hooks, tight arrangements, style, attractive front-woman, handsome men, and unwavering energy. They do all of this without trying to send a message or show off how smart they are. They do nothing more than create invigorating and enthralling rock & roll. That is more than enough. That is magnificent.

Previously in Live DC:

• 5/22: LiveDC: Spirit Animal @ Red Palace
• 5/22: LiveDC: Astra Via @ Black Cat
• 5/22: LiveDC: Father John Misty @ Rock & Roll Hotel
• 5/22: LiveDC: Drive-By Truckers and Lucinda Williams @ Merriweather
• 5/22: Photos: Summer Camp takes the "Ladies of Town" Drag Show
• 5/22: LiveDC: Penguin Prison & Class Actress @ RNR Hotel
• 5/21: LiveDC: James Morrison @ 930 Club
• 5/21: Photos: Que Sera L'Anniversaire @ Napoleon
• 5/21: LiveDC: La Sera/ Beach Week @ Red Palace
• 5/21: LiveDC: The Black Keys & Arctic Monkeys @ Merriweather Post Pavilion