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July 27 - August 3,2003 |
Dialing up a fresh sound
England's Koogaphone get fast and loose with rocking riffs
By Kerry Doole
Originally Published: 2003-06-15
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England's new hot band Koogaphone
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London alternative rock band Koogaphone are living proof that music festivals can in fact work for those who attend. Last year, they made their Canadian debut at the North By Northeast Festival, and won friends with both their aggressive rock sound and their offstage charm.
As a result, they returned to the recent NXNE armed with a fresh Canadian release of their debut CD, Fast Loose And Lovely. So fresh in fact that they eagerly grabbed this writer's copy to check out the local pressing for the first time.
The album is out on Toronto indie label Bobby Dazzler, a deal secured when owner Chris Burland checked out Koogaphone's NXNE gig at The Bovine Sex Club last year. The group ignored SARS-related hysteria by making the trip back to Toronto, and their two shows (at The Bovine and Rancho Relaxo) saw them make some new converts.
Tandem chatted with singer/guitarist Julie Gravell, bassist Rachael and drummer Matt over beers at The Beverly during that visit. Their good cheer is party attributable to the positive initial reaction to the album in England. "It came out there about six weeks ago," explains Julie. "It coincided with a lot of university gigs we did. It got a lot of good reviews and is getting some good airplay too." Online magazine drownedinsound described their sound as "the darkness of a circus on acid," while also praising their "great hair and cheekbones."
Koogaphone are already eagerly anticipating album No. 2. "We have recorded lots of new stuff," says Julie. "We are looking forward to the next already and I think it'll be a lot stronger to be honest. Not that I'm putting the first one down!"
Nor should she. Fast Loose And Lovely is an impressive slab of aggressive guitar-driven alternative rock. It is given distinction via Gravell's unique vocal style. It flirts with being considered a screech, but has enough grit and passion to convey her often dark, slightly sinister songs. Her comrades in Koogaphone add well-textured and dense sonics to her material.
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