Review: Jeffrey Lewis - Norwich Arts Centre 20th August 2008

I don't often go to gigs where I'm not very familiar with the headliner's material - I'd heard a handful of tracks from Jeffrey Lewis but beyond some enthusiastic reviews and recommendations from friends, I really wasn't sure what to expect so it was with a sense of curiosity that I ventured to the Norwich Arts Centre (One of the best venues in the United Kingdom, ladies and gentlemen).

Of the two supports, I'm struggling to remember anything from Tiger MCs set; enjoyable enough but nothing at all to lift above any other US-indie influenced band, however Norwich based (by way of Manchester) openers The Middle Ones were excellent. Seemingly fuelled on pure twee, they have some sparkling lo-fi acoustic indie pop songs in amongst the recorder, accordian and cardigans. It's strangely charming after spending a summer watching some extremely well-oiled live shows to see a band who appear to be terrified of playing in front of an audience and seem genuinely overwhelmed by the positive reaction from the crowd. The lead singer did have a tendency to slip into a slightly harsher accent at times, which introduced unhappy memories of Kate Nash, but on the whole - lovely, lovely, lovely.

The Middle Ones - For Giving (MP3)
The Middle Ones - River Song (MP3)

More at Myspace. Bonus marks for the overlapping vocals too, one of my favourite underused touches in songs.

It soon became clear that my lack of prior knowledge of Jeffrey Lewis (joined tonight by the Jitters - his brother Jack and drummer "Dave" (Beauchamp)) and his songs wouldn't matter a jot; the set was a real joy. A supremely charismatic performer, his other love as a comic writer/artist brought some brilliant moments where he sang through his own detective movie and the History of Communist Korea in comic form.

I had a genuine moment when he played his cover of Crass' Punk is Dead; goosebumps throughout. Changing the music from the brittle punk of the excellent original to a fingerpicking acoustic style. The fire and passion burning in the lyrics, a direct contrast to his usual stream of consciousness highly personal style, comes through just as strong when sung by Lewis as being spat out by Crass' Steve Ignorant.

As he admitted that he hadn't drafted a setlist, requests were taken and it was just a generally laidback set from a band clearly enjoying themselves to a adoring crowed - he's certainly earned at least one new convert to the cause, I'll be there for sure next time around.

As tempting as it was to buy his entire backcatalogue after the show, I'm currently buying his music track by track from Emusic to really appreciate his amusingly offbeat songs. Everyone seems to have at least one moment or line of brilliance, something that you want to share with anyone who'll listen - whether it's the "she really said" on Don't Be Upset, or the ending sentiment from The Chelsea Hotel Oral Sex Song.

Jeffrey Lewis - Don't Be Upset (MP3) (from City & Eastern Songs - Amazon/Emusic)

Jeffrey Lewis - Punk Is Dead (MP3) (from 12 Crass Songs - Amazon/Emusic)

Jeffrey Lewis and the Jitters - I Ain't Thick, It's A Trick (MP3) from their excellent Daytrotter Session (also on 12 Crass Songs)


Jeffrey Lewis - Williamsburg Will Oldman Horror


Jeffrey Lewis - The Chelsea Hotel Oral Sex Song

Sadly neither of the two tracks above were played but I'm totally in love with them, the lyrics!