Review: Hamish Hawk, Thekla – ‘This is not your run-of-the-mill indie fare’

Do you miss the early 90s? Do you miss those pre-Britpop days? Do you miss seeing Suede when Brett and Bernard were just so perfect together? Do you miss clever pop songs, delivered by a man in a well-cut suit? Do you miss gently fading glamour?

Of course you do. And, do you know what? You’re not alone. Tonight, a slew of people who all miss that stuff too found a safe space watching Hamish Hawk at Thekla.

Amongst the 6 Music Dads, with their specs and thinning quiffs, with their quilted coats and checked shirts, there was ecstasy – finally they’d found what they’d been looking for since the kids left home for university.

Hamish Hawk is one man – a gentle, amusing, humble Scot – and a five-piece band too. They play deliciously literate pop that really does remind you of a different time. Grey Seals, taken from the new album Angel Numbers, and Elvis Lookalike Shadows have more than a hint of Morrissey about them.

It’s alright though, because it’s Moz with added fun and minus the dubious politics. Angel Numbers itself is sprinkled with first-album-Suede swagger and is everything that indie guitar music was before the Gallaghers ruined it.

Does this all make Hamish Hawk sound like some sort of nostalgia act? Some sort of comfort blanket for the 50somethings? They might wear their influences on their collective sleeves but tired cabaret performers they are not.

Not when there are at least five bona fide indie anthems in their set. Not when Hawk’s voice is one of searchlight power and clarity – he’s not a weedy boy, wrapped up in books. Not when Hamish Hawk pen the most quotable lyrics for years and years.

What about this one – ” To write a cathedral, I’ll need a ballpoint pen”. Or this one – “Who buys a jacket from a gunmaker?”. This is not your run-of-the-mill indie fare. This is smart, poetic and acerbic.

The “gunmaker ” lyric comes from recent single, Money, and takes a vicious swipe at a society divorced from ethics. It comes complete with a sing-along chorus and a top pop tune, just like all the best acidic songs have.

The “cathedral” lyric is from a song that, assuming that all is right with the world, will be regarded as a classic one day. If those words aren’t tattooed on aging arms yet, they will be soon.

Think Of Us Kissing and Calls to Tiree are both the sorts of song that most bands would sell a kidney for. They are guaranteed floor fillers at any self-respecting indie disco, they are brain food and proper foot tappers too. Just like indie-pop used to be.

If Pulp can tour enormodomes and Blur can sell out two nights at Wembley then the world should take Hamish Hawk to their hearts. Well worth remembering.

Main photo: Gavin McNamara

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