WET PAINT
Channel M Studios
Manchester
29th January 2009
Comprising 60% of Absentee, and James Wignall of Economy Wolf, Wet Paint visit Channel M's Manchester studios at short notice this afternoon, replacing the 'tired' Of Montreal, who gig at the Academy in the evening. Currently touring with Bloc Party, the four-piece make a convincing, introspective clatter, seemingly inspired by the best bits of the late 80's / early 90's slacker movement, and embody very little in the way of traditional British guitar music, channeling generous amounts of Pavement and Dinosaur Jr into their sound rather than nodding to any cliched UK lineage of Kinks and Smiths, although some raw Coxon-esque fretwork is evident in several of their tunes this afternoon, although it's more 'Coffee and TV' than 'Country House'.
Tweaking their usual setlist for this pre-recorded TV performance, Wet Paint offer up half a dozen slices of vulnerable, scuzzy lo-fi, incorporating guitars that clang and shimmer in equal measure, solemn yet impassioned basslines, and moshpit friendly drumming. Vocals are buried shyly in the mix but singer Babak Ganjei is more than capable of a cathartic Cobain throaty growl as well as a Malkmus drawl when required.
Wet Paint may never achieve blanket radio play and promotion but with their understated, DIY image and college rock sound they are a kind reminder of when the alternative music scene offered shelter for the outsider rather than empty credibility for the scenester.
