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Loud and Proud:
The Hidden Cameras live in concert
by Tim Smith
The Hidden Cameras played the Outside Night Club on Thursday, November 20, 2003. The show, which was to begin at 10:00, began at 10:45. The hold-up was due to the lack of an audience. About 50 people eventually showed up for the Gay Church Folk Music concert.
The concert itself was okay. There were audio feedback problems and the mixing was too loud. The organ, piano and other instruments drowned out the lead singer. His words were inaudible and hearing the melody was difficult.
Thankfully, they had the lyrics on an overhead so the audience could follow along. The various attempts at harmonizing were almost pointless because the back-up mics were even quieter than the lead.
The venue was not the optimum choice, as the bar is not designed to house bands. The flat walls and ceiling created a lot of bounce so the concert was even louder than planned. The band, consisting of ten women and men, took up the entire dance floor, which made for an intimate occasion, but didn’t allow any distancing to enjoy the ambience of the situation.
All in all, the concert was enjoyable and I would attend again, but preferably in a different venue. The inclusion of a couple of go-go dancers, one female and one male, made the performance something new and enticing. Every one of the band members was enjoying themself and their enthusiasm and their sheer revelry bled into the crowd. Many in the audience danced to their hearts’ content.
Just seeing how much the band enjoyed performing and how much they loved their music made the $8 cover charge worthwhile. I am personally all for people doing what they love and will support every endeavour I can, on a shoestring student budget.
I thought I would also purchase a copy of the band’s first CD, The Smell of Our Own, because one of their songs really struck a chord with me. “The Boys of Melody” is certainly my favourite song this band performed and ranks high in my all-time favourites. The lyrics and the enchanting melody have a definite eloquence that is indescribable.
The CD is beautiful. I hardly recognized the songs I had heard in concert, as the proper mixing on the CD lent to the subtleties in the songs. In concert, many of their songs sounded the same; on CD the minute and subtle changes make every song unique. Had I judged the band solely on their performance I would have been sorely mistaken. The band is fresh and unique in their approach.
Their sound has been likened to early REM, Murmur and Life’s Rich Pageant, and Belle and Sebastian.
I would suggest to all music listeners that they give this band a chance. Check out their website:
www.musicismyboyfriend.com and listen to what they have to offer.
If you can afford it, pick up their CD and give it a listen. There is a song for everyone on it. If the opportunity arises, and the venue is optimal, check them out in concert. It is an experience like no other. In the words of Michael Barclay of www.therecord.com: “Sodomy never sounded so sweet!”
Tim Smith is the president of GBLUR.
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