Hot Hot Heat at Scala

The failure of some bands to make it big is a concern for anyone interested in music, nay for anyone interested in the concept of a fair world.

You make claims to anyone who will listen about the brilliance of an electro-pop three piece, the heartbreaking qualities of a young singer-songwriter or a blue-country combo. You pour your heart out about how great their music is, you staple people to pieces of furniture and force them to listen and all anyone can ever bring themselves to say is: ‘sure, they’re all right. But they’re no Fall Out Boy. Now can you please detach me from this table?’

Such overdue recognition is deserved for the Canadian group Hot Hot Heat who recently played the Scala as the final part of their latest European tour. They have been together for over ten years and should have broken through with their rapturous single Bandages. However, it was released at the start of the Iraq war and narrow-minded numpties at the BBC decided it might be considered offensive to have a song that mentioned bandages numerous times. This is the same BBC that gives Chris Moyles air time several hours a day. I’m sure their motives are pure.

But after a brace of critically well-received albums, they are back with a new one which was made in their home town of Victoria. Their performance took in choice cuts from all three albums and was delivered with the panache and intensity that leaves you open-mouthed before pounding walls and screaming, ‘And people haven’t really heard of this band?’

For the uninitiated, Hot Hot Heat have come a long way from their synthpunk beginnings. Their blend of indie music takes in electronica and new wave, resulting in punchy, fierce songs. At their best, on tunes like Get In Or Get Out and Middle of Nowhere, they are frenetic yet coherent, rambling full steam ahead yet with a clear intention of where they are going.

Big-haired singer Steve Bays dominated the stage, ripping the microphone off the stand and pounding across before coming back to add keyboards. The band finished off with Bandages before delivering Give Up and my personal favourite Talk To Me, Dance With Me. As with most bands, they were effusive in their praise for the audience. But coming from Canadians, it’s just that bit more sincere.

Hot Hot Heat played on Thursday 4 March at:

The Scala
275-277 Pentonville Road
King’s Cross
N1 9NL

Tel: 020 7833 2022

Image courtesy of Elliott Wilcox