Institute of Contemporary Arts

The Kills

Date: 3 March 2008

The Kills. Photo: Gabriel Green

Jahan Nazeer 

Feeling the effects of a rather big weekend, I hotstepped through London's feverishly busy West End on my way to the ICA, where another Monday night special was being prepared. Tonight, The Kills were passing through to give us a taster of their new album Midnight Boom. While paparazzi lurked outside, I decided to get a seat in the corner of the bar, top up my alcohol levels (hair of the dog) and wait for the band to arrive. With a later start than usual, there was plenty of time to mingle and chat before the act was scheduled to begin.

Gradually people moved through into the main room, where a film, including archive footage, 70s documentary clips and footage of the band, was being shown. With the atmosphere simmering nicely, The Kills took the stage. Opening with U.R.A. Fever, a potential new single, which begins with sampled dial tones and then punches with a contagious swagger, it was clear that this was to be a no frills, frenetic, smash 'n grab performance. Programmed/recorded drums were controlled from a drum machine onstage as Jamie 'Hotel' Hince used and abused his guitar with tough bluesy rock riffs and short, jerky stabs as well as distorted effects made by banging his fist against the face of his guitar. Meanwhile, Alison 'VV' Mosshart added her edgy vocals as she twisted, shook, rattled and convulsed as if in some kind of music induced trance-like rapture. With the two sharing lead vocals, Alison also played some guitar as The Kills burnt through an intense set including the dancefloor banger Cheap and Cheerful and other great new material. The crowd were totally gripped by the driving tunes and genuine star quality. Bursting with sex appeal, there was an electric chemistry between the two that sparked and crackled as the crowd responded to the quick-fire no-nonsense performance. With little to no chatter between songs, The Kills' set was fast and furious, but did leave time for a more tender moment in the form of the track Goodnight Bad Morning which showed a different side to the band and ended the show nicely. So, a seriously good Monday night, The Kills' new album drops on March 10th and, if tonight was anything to go on, it should be huge.

The Kills. Photo: Gabriel Green

The Kills. Photo: Gabriel Green