Ben & Jason
The year is 1999. Work colleagues Ben Parker and the surprisingly chinned Jason Hazeley, fed up with the routine of office work, decide to make sweet music together. Somehow they end up in a studio and release a mini-album, followed by a full album a few months later. Both receive great critical acclaim, but make only a small ripple on the horizon of popular song.
A year later and some bloke called Damon Gough, referring to himself as Badly Drawn Boy, comes along wearing designer stubble and a tea-cosy, swiping the Mercury Music Prize at his first attempt. Kathryn Williams, David Gray, Starsailor, Tom McRae and Turin Brakes amongst others quickly follow Damon into the limelight. Incredibly cool Norwegians, The Kings of Convenience proclaim that "quiet is the new loud" and before we know where we are, the "New Acoustic Movement" is born.
Definitely not a part of NAM is support act, Kevin Tihista. Who? Oh I know, isn't he the guy that is a complete recluse and scarpers at the mere thought of a conversation? Makes you wonder what he's doing on a stage in front of a half-full Fleece doesn't it? Hmmmm. Well the story is that he only got a record deal because his mates secretly sent his demo tapes to record companies and... Well, here he is. And his stuff is not half bad.
Veering from the psychedelic rock of "Happy Birthday" via some no-holds-barred punk to the Pavement-esque "Funny Looking Angel" and on to Spiritualized rumblings in the form of set-closer "Will to Survive", he blends many different styles of rock music to great effect, leaving the crowd more than ready for Ben & Jason.
It's a shame that B&J have very much been overlooked by the "New Acoustic Movement" (last single "The Wild Things" reaching the heady heights of number 83 in the charts!) It is probably due, though, to equal measures of 1) not having an album out in the year when NAM came to prominence and 2) not really wanting to be a part of it by their own admittance. However, you do get the impression that they are ever so slightly miffed that they have been left far behind by the NAM bandwagon when they slaughter Turin Brakes early on, referring to their "six album deal".
Even for the opening couple of songs, including the wonderfully melodic "Fingertipping", the still only half-full Fleece (why?) is immediately drawn in by the duo, supported by a drummer, a bassist and a barrel-load of jokes - these two could easily be comedians if they weren't making intelligent, serious and emotive music.
Apparently Ben has a sore throat but it is barely noticeable as he produces some amazing vocal performances on "Great Days" and two new tracks, seemingly called "Mr. America Loves you" (Terrorism war references abound) and "How to know when to Laugh" - Mr. Parker passes the test with flying colours. This theme continues on "Duet", from recent album "Ten Songs about you", before the band pull the immensely personal sentiments of "Romeo and Juliet are Drowning" out of the bag, along with "The Wild Things".
For a band who use strings in abundance on their recordings, it amazes me that not even one of the songs played sounds remotely hollow without the accompaniment of a string quartet. Whereas some bands use strings to pad out weak arrangements (Embrace are one example), with Ben & Jason it seems to be very much an add-on to the body and soul of the song.
Silence fills the venue for the duration of the gig - you could hear a pin-drop, such is the anticipation in that room, the audience hanging off every single word and the most audible sound being the gentle buzz from the speakers. Even when they try to encourage hecklers, the crowd seems reluctant until some unimaginative fool comes up with "You're shit!"
The band leave the stage for approximately five seconds before coming back to give us an encore consisting of the fantastic "Air Guitar" and a cover of the George Harrison penned "Something" - "Nothing wrong with a bit of hero worship" says Jason. All in all, it has seemed like a very short gig, probably more because it has been such a great gig that we haven't noticed the time go by than due to any scrimping on the band's part. I get the feeling these guys could have the Fleece entertained (with music and comedy) until sunrise. It's just a pity that the wet Monday night seemed to keep so many people away.
Related pages
Official Ben & Jason Website
The band's official website.
