As we all know by now Kula Shaker are a band who love to
embrace all things spiritual, hippie and downright mystical, without a care for how
ridiculous they make themselves look in the process. You probably would have thought then
that their fan-base would appear similarly bohemian.
However, a brief roaming glance over the audience soon makes it
apparent that your average Kula Shaker fans closest religious encounter is either
associated with 8 pints of lager, Noel Gallagher or the Teletubbies. Or all three.
That aside though, there is a bond here tonight. A common desire to
rock the venue off its foundations as a mark of enthusiasm and respect for the said band,
whose philosophy they may not understand, but whose wardrobe at least they ultimately
strive for.
You see, while they may have a tendency to spout pretentious hippie
cobblers at regular intervals, sport frightening beards and off-load all manner of
Far-Eastern mysticism and psychadelia onto poor unsuspecting us, once Kula Shaker really
lock into their groove they deliver like Hendrix surfing Satans flaming lips without
a licence. And while you may not be able to firmly agree on the amount of marbles Crispin
Mills is currently in possession of, theres no such debate over his ability to make
an audience melt like butter in his presence.
They open with their new single The Sound Of Drums, which
also quite clearly features the sound of guitars, voice and keyboards - a case for Trade
Descriptions me thinks - before bulldozing through familiar favourites from first album
K. They also give an impressive preview of new material, including one song
which appears to be called Mystical Machine Gun - theres probably no
point seeking explanations. You neednt expect any shocks from the forthcoming album,
but theres no beating a good tune.
They encore with Hush before retiring backstage to smoke
kitchen herbs, discuss the position of the planets and get an early night to sustain a
good karma. Possibly.
James Berry