Easyworld : Liverpool Academy 2 6th March 2004

Easyworld are one of those rare things in music – a talented line-up with good looks (Scouse scrotters Atomic Kitten being an example of an act with no looks and no talent). Vocalist Dav (Dave) Ford (vocals, guitar, piano), Glenn Hooper (drums, backing vocals) and Jo Taylor (bass, backing vocals) are the members of this angst ridden punk/indie Eastbourne based three piece. Comparisons with JJ72 and the Pixies have been made although such comparisons don’t do the band justice as easyworld have honed their own unique sound. Originally signed to Fierce Panda, a label rightly synonymous with the best in new music, easyworld have now found their new home with Jive Records, the same stable as Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears amongst others.

On tour to promote the latest album enigmatically named ‘Kill the Last Romantic’, easyworld themselves assert it is “a highly eclectic album which deals with loss, death, loneliness, love and remembrance”. Eclectic it certainly is and with the truly mind boggling array of musical instruments used (melodica, harmonica, mandolin, accordion, trombone, bongos - all mostly played by Dav) there were high expectations for the Liverpool Gig. I joined about 200 other fans to experience the vibrant feel of an easyworld live show.

Promising a mix of both new and old material the set list included old favourites and top 40 hit “Junkies and Whores” and “Demons”. While the older material can sometimes have a raw edge to it, with KTLR easyworld have attained perfection. The trio’s music has always managed to manipulate emotions but the songs on KTLR have taken this to a new level.

Amongst my personal favourites were the piano melodies of “Tonight”, “Drive” and “Til the Day”. All the songs have a somewhat melancholy element to them – something that easyworld excel at imparting through their music. The intimacy of the Liverpool Academy 2 venue no added to the effect, with the audience clustering around the stage.

easyworld aren’t just about gut wrenching angst though. The stirring strains of “When You Come Back I Won’t Be Here” provided an uplifting change. In typical easyworld fashion the audience were thrilled when the band launched into a rockin’ rendition of Outkast’s “Hey Ya”, which proved for many to be a show stealer. The gig finished with the aptly titled “Goodnight”, another new offering from KTLR.

However, noticeable by it’s absence was the uplifting and politically charged “2nd Amendment”, a song which has become a firm favourite amongst fans and which in the band’s own words “observe’s the USA’s 2nd Amendment and comments on how it increasingly impinges on much of American and indeed worldwide culture”.

Although the venue was far from full the crowd that was there was undoubtedly made up of fans both old and new. A thoroughly enjoyable evening with a band who excel at making music without the seemingly modern music necessity of stupid haircuts.