Tusk Festival 2017 — Brainbombs

Brainbombs first release appeared over a quarter century ago yet somehow this will be their first ever UK appearance. Reticent to thrust themselves too often into the public fray and with a frankly niche appeal that lies strictly amongst those who like their guitar music to be the very darkest of dark, mention can nevertheless not be avoided of the fact that, at full tilt in those moments when Brainbombs forget themselves and let go of the despondency a little, there is a raucous, driving, irresistible groove to their music. Perhaps the despondency perversely adds to it, building in an abrasive layer of tension – like the way casual nonchalance can somehow make disco music so irresistible, Brainbombs’ air of not giving a feck how you find their music makes it all the more possessive. Other times of course and it feels like they’re repeatedly backing up and driving again into the same brick wall, and if you can see the pleasure in that, you’re going to love them just as much as we do.