I had been quite anxious expexting the performance by Pains of being Pure at heart in Gagarin since its announcement, as their homonymous debut album is remarkable, to say the least. I was even more interested in the event when two greek support grous were added to the lineup, which was a very good idea. The Common Sense from the past and the promising Flakes from the future! From Common Sense it would be anough for me to just hear Grotesque, one of the most beautiful songs composed by a greek band in the 90's. The Flakes, based in Patras, have already released their first album Lick your fingers if you like it. The striking singer Yodashe which brings to mind the presence of Karen O from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs - her voice in the album is also slightly reminding of Kate Pierson from the B52's - and the rest of the Flakes are one of the most promising domestic bands with energetic live performances and will surely have a bright future. At yesterday's concert they performed for about half an hour, playing songs from their first album and I hope to see them again at the finals of Coca cola soundwave on July 1st, performing for a greater audience.
As the evening passed by, and while Gagarin was not yet full, the Common Sense appeared. Although they have remarkable compositions and many fans, their sound could not relate to the other two bands. Nevertheless, they remained on stage for about 50 minutes, performing songs from Sun comes up (1995), as well as more recent ones, composed after their reunion 3 years ago. As expected, they did not forget the wonderful Grotesque, as you can see and hear below. They would suit better as a support to another band, even the Horrors , but not to our New Yorker friends who were about to follow.
Following that little awkwardness, and as indie fans took their places in the first rows, the Pains of being Pure at heart slowly appeared on stage arranging their equipment themselves, at approximately 23.40. Among the audience, who had by that time filled about two thirds of Gagarin ground floor, there were many fans of the band, as well as older people missing the sound of Field Mice , Ride , My Bloody Valentine and other groups having influenced the Pains . I think seeing the response of the audience from the beginning, the promoters must have felt justified for their decision to bring the band in Athens just a few months after their first release and I hope for similar experiments to be repeated. Yesterday's audience in Gagarin showed that there people eager to attend such events. The Pains of being Pure at heart felt this enthusiasm, which they did not expect - as they said - and decided, as Peggy Wang announced smiling with surprise, that Athens was the hottest city they visited during their six-week tour. Ody and Efi said their performance was much better than in Primavera a few days earlier. From their set the following stood out: This love is fucking right , Come Saturday , Young adult friction , Everything with you. Those, along with the rest of their first album tracks, except for Contender , and some new tracks were enough for their almost 50-minute, along with two encores, set. Besides the singer Kip Burman, who had the air of the frontman, and the sweetest Peggy, special mention is required for the exceptional drummer Kurt Feldman. Their second encore, and their first appearance in the Athenian audience were closed by the pop song A Teenager in love .
Those who enjoyed the debut of Pains of Being Pure at Heart , certainly loved them even more yesterday, and expect their next releases, as well as their return Athens for a gig soon, as they promised!