I’m not going to deny it, I went in tonight uninformed, I went in having Spotifyed (is that a verb?) the first few tracks and thinking ‘YES’ I want to see this band! I mentioned it online on ‘X’ to which Rough Trade answered “We Love Bodega!”
As I sat there thinking how did I miss this band in my deep dives into new music. I was trying to pin down the influences, or to put it better the sounds I was hearing that gave me dopamine spikes, the sounds that sat right as they felt comfortable, they felt right. What my head came up with was if The pixies, Weezer, The B52s and possibly Jimmy Eat World had a bizarre four way love child this would be somewhere close to being it, but Bodega still sound unique and original.
From New York City and taking their name from the small corner shops of there home city, they formed in 2014 releasing there first album in 2018. Three guitars, a drummer and a singer/percussionist front and centre give a different vibe to other acts and you feel it. I’ve already used the term unique but I’ll add eclectic and fun to the description of this post-punk group. There is nothing not to like, great songs, great energy and if there wasn’t an 11pm finish time it felt like they just wanted to keep on playing. Rough Trade said ‘We Love Bodega!’ Well Rough Trade, so do I!
They also, based on the week that’s been did a fantastic rendition of ‘Paranoid’ by Black Sabbath that had the stained glass at the back of this church holding on for dear life. (On our YouTube)
@we.will.trampoline.gigs Bodega @papillonsouthampton #bodega @bodegabk #postpunk #livemusic ♬ original sound – we.will.trampoline.gigs
@we.will.trampoline.gigs Bodega @papillonsouthampton #bodega @bodegabk #postpunk #livemusic ♬ original sound – we.will.trampoline.gigs
Support came first off from Lugnut and this is a band I want to see again, they announced they are playing Heartbreakers in Southampton on August 8th but I’m away, now that’s annoying as I love that bar as it reminds me of the long gone Pirate in Falmouth so a double annoyance, but I’ll be sat on a beach far away, checking listing as to when they are playing again. Two guitars and both vocalists, there was a clear lead singer but not for all songs. Both voices surpassed their age and sounded great. Supported by a drummer and a fourth member swapping between a trumpet and a cow bell, you can never have enough cow bell! It works, great songs and great energy, and despite the suits you can see a young devil may care attitude. I want to see where these guys are in five years as if they can keep this going and the music trends are right they could be onto something big! (See our Tik Tok)
https://www.instagram.com/lugnutband
Second support came from Ugly Uzo, a young post-punk band that reminded me of Hot Wax with the two girls up front but channeling anxiety and feelings instead of angst and attitude. I’m not sure at this time if Ugly Uzo is the singer or the band as she referred to everything as ‘I’ but a great support all the same and as a band they looked good. If you’re a fan of Sonic Youth style guitar and force then worth taking a listen. They did a great set. (See our Tik Tok)
https://www.instagram.com/uglyozo
And just to add as always Papillon is a great venue. The acoustics in that church and just the general vibe always make it a fantastic place to see bands.
