March 2008

One Eye Grey Magazine Launch / Shamus Dark – Roxy Theatre and Grill, London

by JohnnyOthers

.. For obvious reasons I don't tend to talk too much about cover acts for Indieoma (or anywhere else for that matter) but sometimes something so bizare comes along that it deserves some publicity. The launch of the latest issue of One Eye Grey magazine is one such occasion.

Although Indieoma is primarily concerned with music, it is also concerned with independent thought. One Eye Grey retells London folklore and ghost stories in a modern setting and describes itself as a 21st century equivalent of the Penny Dreadful (except now it costs the same as a pint, but that's inflation for you).

Tonight's entertainment features a rare screening of the short film "Oddfellow's Casino" and Shamus Dark's first UK performance since "completing his successful tour of East European shipyards (which he undertook as a personal favour to [Polish politician] Lech Walesa) [and] cutting short plans to hang out at his favourite bars in Shanghai to be with us."

Whether true or not, it's amazing what an intriguing press release can do…

Around 9pm backed by some suitably dramatic black and white film footage, Shamus Dark hits the stage and, accompanied only by a small I-Mac, proceeds to croon his way through a selection of songs from his debut album Songs For Suicidal Lovers.

The set consists of moody interpretations of "noir classics", primarily from the 30s and 40s, but what is entirely unexpected is that the musical backing is a dark and ambient electronica (think Massive Attack meets Scott Walker) with soulful saxophone, piano and trip hoppy beats. If nothing else, it quickly becomes apparent that at the very least, Dark's love of the golden era of songwriting is genuine.

Watching this performance is like watching a character step out of an old film only to find themselves in modern day London. It is very odd but utterly compelling. It could easily be very, very good and it quite possibly is.

To read more of my blogs go to Indieoma.com, scroll down and click on my name.

For more info on One Eye Grey click here