Live

Simon Breed

Matt Churchill 10/08/2007

Simon Breed is a light bulb waiting to explode into a million different ideas. His brilliantly witty and cleverly crafted lyrics are matched with his superbly exquisite fretboard foreplay, which casts a mesmerising spell on all those who hear it.

A free gig at Shoreditch's tiny Catch 22 saw a headline set in which Simon was forced to contend with a crowd who, to be more or less polite about it, wouldn't know a talented genius if there was one stood on stage in front of them. For the small enclave gathered around the front of the stage for a half an hour set, nothing else mattered as they sang, quietly, and admired the tall thin ghost of a man stood before them.

Opening with the lusciously raucous 'Star Of Nepal', a wonderfully written down-tuned piece of acoustic rock, the intimate nature of the gig was not lost on either crowd or performer. 'I Spy The Spider', a Leonard Cohen-esque a metaphoric tale of two arachnids, provided a dark contrast to the amber-lit plain plastered walls encasing the assembled.

The May - released single 'Devestating Sky' - the most poignant part of the set - was a moment of naked emotion, making those poor hairs on the back of the neck stand to attention with alarming regularity. 'Snipes' and 'Brother Song' sped into the particularly singable 'Cunts Pricks, Wankers and Shits', a song for everyone who hates work and who they work for.

With a welcome encore, Simon asked the adoring lookers-on for requests. 'Wet Eyed Dog', a sumptuously sculptured and older song was forthcoming, before the set closing 'An Unhappy Fish' a minute and a half long arpeggioed tune that fully demonstrated Breed's ability with 6 six strings and a few simple words.

Comprising of material taken from the recently released mini album 'The Filth And Wonder Of…' the set was an eye-opening experience for Simon Breed virgins and a further affirmation to seasoned veterans that although an acquired taste, this singer songwriter composes melodies and lyrics of the most beautiful variety.


Photo from the Social, 12/3/2007.