Tonight sees us venture once more to the Trades Club in Hebden Bridge, which is bathed in psychedelic colours courtesy of White Rabbit and a never-to-be-repeated show with the legendary Damo Suzuki is guaranteed.
Opening are Sowerby Bridge’s own XAM Duo, comprised of Matthew Benn of Hookworms and Christopher Duffin of Deadwall. Signed to Sonic Cathedral they released their debut self-titled album in November 2016. Offering a blend of astral jazz combined with an experimental kosmische undercurrent, their improvised live set means this is a unique experience for those present and they set the mood perfectly.
For the uninitiated, Kenji Suzuki, better known as Damo Suzuki is a Japanese musician who has been living in Germany since the early 1970s and the former lead singer of legendary krautrock group Can. He recorded on their notorious albums Tago Mago, Ege Bamyasi and Future Days, before going on to perform under Damo Suzuki’s Network since 1997.
Tonight he performs with members of Hookworms, XAM Duo, Cowtown and Deadwall as his ‘sound carriers’, with Suzuki providing his characteristic vocals over the top. They take to the stage one by one, with Damo entering the fray last of all. The 45 minute set only offers three distinct breaks sound with a tripped out, ambient vibe prevailing throughout. The heavily improvised set draws on elements of krautrock, kosmishe and psychedelia blended into one dream package.
The affair is over all too quickly, Damo and his musicians bow out and the consensus around the room is that tonight, something extraordinary has taken place.
