Saturday 01/10/05 The Research, Fonda 500 @ The Faversham, Leeds

It certainly seems like the Faversham is having an identity crisis. Is it a wine bar, gig venue or function room? The atmosphere stinks (mainly of Hugo Boss) with the clientele dressed in their best Armani shirts posing on different sections of the bar. However, one by one they gather round the stage area in anticipation of Fonda 500 beginning. The band’s frontman has decided to sport a Mickey Mouse style hat that completely covers his eyes. Mysterious you might say or just damn right infuriating when you can’t detect a slight bit of enthusiasm for the music in the whole of his body. They introduce themselves to the audience as The Research to gather more of a crowd. Unfortunately they don’t fool anyone with a painful 25-minute set.

 

Howeverm, despite all the gloom, there are definitely some good points for this band with some catchy riffs and meaningful lyrics though there is a distinct lack of continuity. Musical ideas are flung together regardless of whether they link effectively.  The highlight was the last song partly because it was the last, but also because of the enticing samba rhythms, funky bass lines and general good time vibes.

 

It’s now time for Wakefield trio, The Research to appear on stage. Their youthful energy immediately lifts the atmosphere in the room as they bound over to their instruments. Front man Russell Searle warns the audience of the absence of a guitar but reassures them that a Casio keyboard can fill the void. New single 'She’s not Leaving’ has an endearing purity to it. Simple harmonies depict the everyday life of a small community where "everybody knows your business". The audience connect with the song and lyrics such as "Can we forget this ever happened" relates back to that uncomfortable moment in time where a mistake is realised and then ushered under the carpet.

 

Female backing vocals from drummer Sarah Williams and bassist Georgia Lashbrook accompany Searle’s voice on songs such as 'I Love You' But creating a feeling of inevitability about ‘****ing up’ a relationship. Keyboard effects ringing with the memories of high school music classes along with simplistic lyrics reminds us all of disastrous relationships of our teenage years. It all sounds sickeningly nostalgic but The Research manage to keep an infectious energy alive in the crowd even though music and lyrics often reflect the times in life we’d rather forget. Just goes to show that guitars don’t always have to be the central ingredient to all rock bands.