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Friendly Fires: Climb on Board

March 24, 2009 by william alberque

As Friendly fires take on Black Cat mainstage tonight, file this under: “We told you so”

(posted initially LAST JULY)

I’ve sung the praises of this Hertfordshire band, Friendly Fires, on these pages before. But now, I’ve seen them live, last weekend, at the Wakestock Festival in Oxfordshire, England. Even in the festival setting, they were awe-inspiring, winning over curious onlookers, jaded journalists and festival blaggers alike. Side note: did anyone else know that they really are named for the Section 25 song? Nice Martin Hannett tie-in.

Another band with only three vinyl singles to their name, they’ve finally won the sweepstakes – signing to XL, with a full album coming out soon. Their last single, Paris, was the it-single of late last year, winning NME single of the week accolades and quickly selling out from influential singles record label (and launching-pad for such bands as Kate Nash, Hot Chip and Bloc Party) Moshi Moshi. They played both sides of the single during their set, with the insistent, irresistible, dance-groove of Paris promising a move to that glamorous city (and the resultant French boy for you, French girl for me), and moving the crowd with nary a dissenter amongst them. Ex-Lovers they saved for the set-ender, and the building, shoegaze-like euphoria (”and you’re all, I need…) – nailed to a heroic dance beat – culminated in breathtaking style to a screaming, then-hysterical crowd.

In between, Photobooth, Your Love, On Board, Strobe, and a few songs I didn’t recognize (In the Hospital? White Diamonds?) were even better live than on record – and they’re all as close to perfect as nevermind on record. And what records. The first (not counting charming lead singer Ed McFarlane’s earlier Skam Records output), the Photobooth EP, provides the roadmap – elastic basslines, stiff drums and a winsome falsetto pulling you into the Photobooth with them. It’s Over Now is far noiser, with the vocals barely cutting through the gorgeous shimmering wall of guitar and drum noise before releasing into beautiful, rising harmonies. Your Love returns to the more traditional bass, drum and yelp format. The On Board EP is similar, with the smallpox-level-infectious On Board moving you right out of the box, followed by the electronic-based, winsome (and completely brilliant) Strobe, ending with the jarringly Gang of Four-esque Bring Out Your Dead.

You’ve probably heard On Board on the Wii exercise pad commercials (”climbing on climbing aboard!”). Wait until you hear it live. They will seduce you. It’s a promise.

Friendly Fires – Photobooth – the Photobooth 10″ EP, People in the Sky Records
Friendly Fires – It’s Over Now
Friendly Fires – Your Love

Friendly Fires – On Board – the On Board 10″ EP, People in the Sky Records
Friendly Fires – Strobe
Friendly Fires – Bring Out Your Dead

Friendly Fires – On Board (Nightmoves Mix) – Remix 12″ EP, People in the Sky Records
Friendly Fires – Photobooth (Mock & Toof Mix)
Friendly Fires – Bring Out Your Dead (Clark Mix)

Friendly Fires – Paris – the Paris 7″, Moshi Moshi Records
Friendly Fires – Ex-Lovers

Note: in person, they’re the nicest guys you want to meet. Ed, you’re a prince. They even played a new song for me, just recorded. It was pure genius. I love them.

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