Thursday 01/09/05 Sleater Kinney, Pipettes @ Academy 3, Manchester

Tonight's openers The Pipettes truly don’t disappoint the expectation derived from their name. The three front girls are resplendent in polka dots with gingham trim and the lads in the backing band would make their mothers proud in shirt, tie and tank tops. Singing in harmony with plenty of "woo-ooh’s" and "ba-ba-baa’s" as well as little dances and hip wiggles, they could almost be the ghosts of doo-wop future. Almost, because the girls themselves aren’t quite like their previous counterparts - they have the confidence but it’s more laid-back and you're left feeling if they were a bit brasher they would make more of an impression. The lyrics aren’t as innocent either, as shown in songs such as ‘One Night Stand’. And while the twangy guitars and rolling drums are a perfect bed for their music, there aren’t any particular hooks or choruses that you won’t be able to get out of your head for days.

 

Sleater Kinney are one of those bands that have been knocking about for a decade now, but still don’t quite have the recognition they deserve. These women have been on the angular thing since before most recent bands had even picked up their first guitar. That and their well articulated anger was what they were renowned for until the recent release of ‘The Woods’. This is their seventh album and my, it bears some resemblance to the behemoth that is Led Zeppelin. As they start tonight it hits you harder than the record suggests. It is actually too loud, and as a hardened gig goer Gigwise knows loud – there's feedback rolling off the feedback for Christ's sake! Corin’s astounding voice, which could normally floor you at 40 paces is almost lost as Carrie’s guitar is making enough filthy noise to put any bassist in fear of their job. Thrashing about all over the stage to the powerful rhythms that are driving on and on punctured by the occasional guitar solo as a matter of talent, rather than pretence. Her singing is being brought to the fore more often too, on ‘Entertain’ her vibrant verses meld so well with Corin’s powerful chorus.

 

Although the lyrics may be more pensive now, as any of the older songs played tonight demonstrate, that doesn’t mean the raw anger still persists through their guitars. It’s also astounding to watch such skill, Janet Weiss is the best drummer you will possibly have the privilege of hearing while you still can. The woman is a powerhouse. It’s interesting to be able to dance to something that doesn’t sound like Franz Ferdinand et al; it’s far more dextrous than that. As they return for the encore and play old favourite ‘You’re No Rock And Roll Fun’ the sweat begins to drip off the ceiling, probably, but it's that hot. When they thank the audience it's sincere. Then they finish on ‘Dig Me Out’ from their album of the same name which is generally considered as their musical high point, that may change after this evening, the band leaves the stage, then go the crowd with bleeding ears but invigorated at seeing a band that are actually important, whose words can help and inspire.