The Brute Chorus

by Jon Fletcher

Bow down to the essence of American rock, imported all the way from Camden

"Steel looks as though he was born stalking a stage in a pair of giant pointy shoes, guitar slung loosely around his neck as he hammers through one sleazy, bluesy track after another"

The fact that The Brute Chorus are signed to Bumpman Records, the fledgling label launched by the management at The Hawley Arms - Camden’s dubious celebrity local - is pretty much the least interesting thing about them. Watching disjointed frontman James Steel lurch around the 100 Club stage like a Bambi on the beers, it becomes apparent that this band is so steeped in old fashioned rock n roll they are impossible to ignore, irrespective of any associations they may have with London's heart of faux-cool.



Though the group's myspace may sell you their blend of clunking, foot tapping bass lines and barn dance guitars - as evidenced by their first single, the double a-side ‘Chateau/The Cuckoo & The Stoken Heart’ (rereleased this week) - it’s not until you witness them live that you get a full sense of their magic. Much of this is down to Steel, who looks as though he was born stalking a stage in a pair of giant pointy shoes, his guitar slung loosely around his neck as he hammers through one sleazy, bluesy track after another.



A thick vein of American musical heritage runs through everything The Brute Chorus does, from Steel’s grandiose, theatrical voice to the boy-girl battle with guest vocalist Tigs on ‘The Cuckoo...’. Visually, it’s like watching a moustachioed Nicholas Cage doing Johnny Cash impressions (perhaps even more disconcertingly, Nick Foots, the band’s keyboard player and general odd job man, looks like the spitting image of New Noise’s very own Jim Merrett – with a wig).



There’s almost nothing original in The Brute Chorus’ sound and yet it’s quite unique – they wear their influences so brashly, they somehow make them their own. Every song builds with an irresistible force but remains distinct – a rare treat when you’re watching a new band. That's something we suggest you do as soon as possible – this lot are bloody marvellous.

All pictures © Jon Fletcher
Jim Merrett said on February 6th 2008 [report abuse]

How do you know I'm not Nick Foots in a skull cap?

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