When oh when will the world wake up to the genius of Thomas Walsh?
This evening’s Eleven Modern Antiquities launch seems to hint that the hour is nigh.
XTC legend Dave Gregory and Nelson Bragg from Brian Wilson’s band have both jetted in to perform, national treasure Neil Hannon is on keyboard duties and the excitement in the crammed venue is teetering on explosive.
MC Paul Putner of Little Britain fame ushers in a night of power-pop perfection; captivating melodies, clever arrangements, top-tunesmithery and a feel-good-factor that if bottled would put Prozac out of business.
Pugwash’s fourth long-player has deservedly garnered glowing reviews and provides the bulk of the material for the stellar set. Lead single ‘Take Me Away’ inspires an impressively raucous sing-a-long, while ‘Anyone Who Asks’ from 2002’s Almanac also tests the audience’s vocal chords. Thomas refers to this as the “movie song” and gives it a spoof voice-over intro, reminiscent of Dragnet, a humourous reference to its inclusion in upcoming film Pride And Glory.
Throughout the performance, there's an infectious playfulness and enthusiasm evident among the band. At one point, Neil Hannon is jokingly referred to as “that my little pony guy” and a brief jam of the Cricket World Cup Theme introduces ‘Finer Things In Life’.
The award for Most Enthusiastic Performance goes to percussionist Nelson Bragg who dances, sings and jumps up and down like a rabid fan. He excitedly declares his intentions to enlighten the entire US continent to the genius that is our “best kept secret”.
Dave Gregory is given a hero’s welcome by the impressive contingent of XTC fans and ‘Apples’ and ‘Nice To Be Nice’ bring the house down.
“Now fuck off!” barks Paul Putner. And we do, reluctantly.