The Retro Spankees

Northampton has hardly set the musical world alight before has it? Let’s face it, the only noticeable thing to leave its streets in recent years has been The Departure, and they are about as interesting as watching paint dry. However on a sunny night in Derby Northampton’s musical fortunes took a turn for the better with the arrival of their next bright hopes, The Retro Spankees.

We may as well get this out in the open from the start; The Retro Spankees are bonkers. When you see them onstage surrounded by cuddly toys, rubber ducks and ironing boards it’s like looking at the results of a child being let loose to run around a department store. The music is just as childlike but I mean that in a good way, it’s fun and carefree and a whole world away from bands dominated by trendy haircuts and leather jackets.

They sung us songs from the perspective of an ant featuring the words I’m sure many an ant has muttered “I bet you can’t see me, cos I am really small!” The highlight was future single “Vowel Play” a song dedicated to the legend that is Richard Whitely.

The Retro Spankees are clearly influenced by their former tour buddies Bearsuit, not to mention bands such as Kaito, Misty’s Big Adventure and just about anyone else who loves having fun. They adopt the shouting and yelps of Bearsuit and mix them with the eccentricity of Misty’s, however instead of a dancing man in a glove suit they prefer tabards and surgeons outfits.

Singer Charlie (and I use that word lightly, “yelper” may be more appropriate) delivered most of the songs in a falsetto only a dog could hear. However it was never gratuitous and the songs always managed to maintain their sense of melody despite the apparent craziness that accompanied them.

The Retro Spankees are certainly a band whose live show is worth checking out. It will definitely bring a smile to your face. The only gripe I could possibly have is that after a while it all gets a bit samey, although they manage to keep the set just the right length in order to make sure boredom never ensues. Certainly a band to keep an eye on because after all, you can never have too much fun can you?

FUTURE GIGS

sorry, we currently have no gigs listed for this act.