Oxford Arts Factory 18/09/26

So this was a big one. Mom Publishing had finally got Low Life back, along with the Australian supergroup Station Model Violence, who, in terms of supergroups, are comparable with the Traveling Wilburys; there, I said it. There was a large line-up of great artists on this bill, but these two were who I was there for.

I was working before the gig, so I got there just in time to grab a Low Life shirt — after lining up on the wrong side of the merch desk and having an awkward interaction with the Station Model Violence merch help, listening to me explain how I wanted a Low Life shirt, but it was OK because I already had SMV merch. They kindly just pointed me to the other side of the desk.

Merch bought, I headed off to stake out my short-chick position. At OAF, if I can manage it, I will grab a rail posy on the balcony behind the sound desk. I was slightly to the side of the sound desk, but I was ready.

This was the third time I have seen SMV this year, and I seriously hope it’s not the last. It was fun watching all seven members squeeze onto the stage to set up, but they did it. As soon as the duelling saxes started, I remembered why I love them. Although this is one of many projects for most of the members of this band, they are just tight. You would assume with a frontman like DX that he is where you would be looking, but the entire band is distractingly watchable. “Apex”, “Leisure” and “Heat” were all highlights, but, to be honest, they have one album in their catalogue and they couldn’t go wrong for me with any song on it.I feel like the sound wasn’t as good as it could have been, but that is probably because I have seen them at the Opera House and it was just an amazing wall of sound. Still, I totally could have walked away after this set feeling like I’d got my money’s worth.

It’s been four years, I think, since I had seen Low Life, and I am ashamed to admit I was already late to the Low Life party — dare I say cult. I did not find them through Dogging, but via From Squats to Lots. So I was already trying to catch up, then one gig and nothing.

When the boys hit the stage, the crowd seemed to take a big breath, which they held until the first riff, and then we all relaxed into a rhythm. Evidently, the hiatus hadn’t affected the band’s ability to smash out some tunes. It was one of those occasions when I felt like I just really wanted to be in it, so I took only two short videos during the entire set. One was their final song, a cover of The Stooges’ “I Wanna Be Your Dog”, and the other was “Dream Machine”, which was probably my song of the night. They are a generous live band, with banter with the crowd and even a mic being given to a crowd member at one point. There was encouragement for the crowd to let loose, and no problem with folks jumping on stage before launching themselves back into the crowd. They played a great set despite not playing my fave song of theirs, but at this point I probably would have paid to watch them sing the alphabet.

Soon again, I hope, for both these bands!