Lost and Found - The Paddingtons

 

Tonight is The Paddingtons third gig in Cardiff in as many months, it shows their commitment to building a loyal fan base.  Gregarious, barrel-chested drummer Josh Hubbard adds that despite everyone thinking they’re from London – “We’re from ‘ull” he adds vehemently, there’s no fraternal instinct toward fellow Humbersiders Embrace. Banter about a possible incestuous relationship between the brothers’ McNamara is bandied around.  The vitriol is best saved for the gig.

 

Set opener Same Old Girl shows while it’s unlikely their status as Pete Doherty’s street urchins will disappear soon, they’ve grown more confident live. Panic Attack and 21 are well received, an impromptu Happy Birthday for guitarist Marv is more evidence of the growing bond between band and audience. Lo-Fi and Tommy’s Disease are served up like frazzled eggs at a greasy spoon, but no less enjoyable for it.

 

Pinching your rhythm section sound from The Strokes – who pinched theirs from The Velvet Underground – is hardly reinventing the wheel, but the trick is working for the time being.

 

The guidance of Poptones supremo Alan McGee should ensure a longer shelf-life than other Strokes copyists. An album should be recorded early next year. The two new tracks previewed tonight – helpfully titled the new one and the new one - are more evidence of them mastering song writing wizardry. They intend to tour like demons for now, under no illusion how fickle the industry is, “It’s up to us to do it. Everyone wants to be the next Johnny Borrell,” adds Josh, “But as far as we’re concerned the only pressure we have is from ourselves.”

 

The next six months will be crucial. Life without The Libertines could be stark whether they choose to acknowledge the debt or not. “The split is ****ing upsetting because they’re our friends,” Tom adds, “But for me Babyshambles are a better band and that’s all that matters.” Pete Doherty’s current maxim of choosing between death and glory could prove eerily prophetic. The Paddingtons may be soon to find out how much that is the case.