Delivered with a punch and in all black, Joanna Gruesome hit up Leeds
Taking to the stage at Leeds' Brudenell Social Club on 20th September as part of their UK and US tour, Joanna Gruesome look an impressive bunch.
With the announcement of vocalist Alanna McArdle's departure earlier this year in June, the now six piece band - having seen the addition of Kate and Roxy - present themselves in an unofficial uniform of all-black turtlenecks.
Aesthetically, Joanna Gruesome make for a Beatnik vibe yet, as their set screeches into earshot, any chance of jazz could not be further from the case. Joanna Gruesome's servings of punchy noise pop doesn't hold back and, with Kate and Roxy divvying up McArdle's vocals ("melodic vocals/shouting/screaming" and "melodic vocals/keyboard" respectively), the set is well delivered, fool proof and, most importantly, enjoyable.
Joanna Gruesome don't mess about with easing the crowd into their set, opening with the aggressively delivered yet melodic, as the band does so well, 'Secret Surprise'.
The crowd does seem perhaps a little taken aback, only really getting into it a few songs down the line. Though, so too do the band at first; 'Madison' is played into 'Psykick Espionage' is delivered with a cutting sharpness but, between songs, as the band move around the stage and interact with the crowd there are noticeable nerves looming overhead.
With the line-up change there is, of course, a shift in dynamic which plays in the band’s favour as they play ‘Honestly Do Yr Worst’. Roxy and Owen occupy opposing sides of the stage to harmonise, as Kate interjects with admirable screaming. Jerome (Liar) follows suite, with more of a thrashy inclination. Whilst the all-black get up gives the band a certain coolness, they radiate with charm – even as their music tears your ear drums.
‘Hey! I Wanna Be Yr Best Friend’ is, like many of Joanna Gruesome’s songs, short. It is, however, not as fast-paced as a typical work from their oeuvre, slowing down the breakneck potency of the set so far. It’s a sweet track that focuses on aspects of their music which, at times get caught up in the noise but there is little time to dwell on this, as the band tear into ‘Graveyard’ without introduction.
They play with notably more energy and enthusiasm than before, something hard to top, but it shows; the response from the crowd really picks up from here on in. Before playing ‘I Don’t Wanna Relax’, there are a few hesitant remarks between Owen and Roxy, but there is really little to worry about. ‘Last Year’ demonstrates particularly well Kate’s electrical presence on stage as she dances in between terrorising the mic.
The band thank Leeds for the show and announce that, if it wasn’t already clear from the band’s distinct sound, that they are Joanna Gruesome and they’re wearing black turtlenecks.
Closing the set with ‘Sugarcrush’, Joanna Gruesome deliver one final kick and punch before, after much chanting, returning goofishly for an encore.
It could be the overwhelming presence of a six-piece band on a relatively small stage or the dizzying nature of all black turtlenecks that make Joanna Gruesome somewhat awe-inspiring to watch. But it’s probably the fact that they manage to power through a kick-ass set, without letting anything slow them down.
