With the mood swings of British weather and a bottom of the bill placement stacked against them it’s no surprise that 20 minutes before Bank of Joy take the stage tonight Upstairs at the Garage is virtually empty. Apart from the other bands playing (and their girlfriends/boyfriends obviously) it’s must be the most disheartening sight for any young band to see that empty dance floor and the lone island of a stage so close to their stage time.
This is a only a fleeting worry however, as the venue soon fills up to a respectable level and the East London band take the stage and play ‘Blood cell’ the first song of their seven song set. The jangly, beat pop that runs through their songs is as infectious as the harmonies and chemistry of frontman Ralph Phillips and colourful co-vocalist Mio Kuromori. At times the dual vocals and hooks can get lost in the mix (hopefully more to do with the garage’s mixing desk than anything else) and there are points where Bank of Joy are shyly playing with their heads down, racing through their songs almost looking forward to finishing their set but these are such a minor complaints when the bands songs show so much potential. Songs like ‘Seasons of Gold’ and ‘Flowers’ nod to the Power-Pop of 90’s Seattle rockers The Posies and San Francisco’s (maybe now defunct) Girls in their hooky, wistfulness and spirited open chords and heart-warming melodies.
The set ends with new song ‘Enemy’ and the promise of more gigs including the annual Gathering of the Hipsters The 1234 Fest in Shoreditch this September. If you do find yourself in a field, park or small sweatbox venue this summer give Bank of Joy 30 minutes of your time and be rewarded with some great songs in return.
Lewie Peckham
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