White Rabbits at Water Rats
White Rabbits – Monto Water Rats – 18 November 2009
Words by Ian Dickinson / Photo’s by Marcus Maschwitz
It is a rare treat to find a band playing original music with such unadulterated talent and passion. Intelligent, intense and innovative; the White Rabbits are one of the most exciting bands I have had the privilege to witness. Water Rats is an ideal venue for the White Rabbits. It is small and it is packed. The crowd are a mix of delighted fans, curious music bods and trendy Art & Fashion students getting smashed on a Wednesday night (the infamous hump session).
At 10:22pm the Missouri six piece take to the stage. An aura of anticipation hangs dangerously over the tightly packed crowd. Stephen Patterson (vocals & piano) takes a seat at the keys and a swig from his beer before commencement. As soon as White Rabbits begin a tsunami of sound smashes the audience square in the face. Jamie Levinson (drums) and Matt Clark (drums and percussion) create a hypnotic beat that is driving and savagely forceful. Their expressions are grave and stern, the music is intellectual but not alienating or pretentious. This is unlike any thing else that I have heard. From a visual perspective the White Rabbits possess raw energy and emotion. Clarks tribal assault on percussion is impossible to ignore.
As the set builds the venue feels as though it can know longer deal with the might of the music held within. My whole body is vibrating and my teeth are shaking like a frost bight victim on his death bed. By the third song the band are on fire. The massive sound of the double drums demands vocalists with the chops to keep a float and to not be drowned out by the scale of the music. Patterson and Gregory Roberts (guitar & vocals) are more than capable of holding their own. The juxtaposition of vocals and their dynamic range keep the set fresh throughout. Roberts deals with the more melodic, new wave style tracks whilst Patterson takes the more prominent role on the aggressive and up tempo songs. Patterson effortlessly switches from screaming, to crooning, to singing without stopping for a single breath. Patterson & Roberts are a great duo, that allows the band to play in a multitude of ways. The down tempo and moody tracks still sound like a thoroughly pissed off combination of Portishead and The Specials banging at your door with a marching band for back up. Whilst the harder, faster songs have a sinister rock n roll, bar brawl feel to them.
The White Rabbits are more than just a one trick pony. Bands that create distinctive music have a tendency to sound very similar on each track. It is part of the danger of being different. This is not true of the White Rabbits. Atmospheric, harrowing, mournful, broody, upbeat, aggressive, romantic; the White Rabbits set fills your ears with many emotions and sounds. Midnight and I, is a haunting and frightening track thanks to Patterson’s work at the keys. When the band get to Percussion Gun they are untouchable. The drums are beaten, the piano keys are obliterated and Patterson’s shrill and visceral voice commands it all. The song starts big and continues to build without reprieve. It is an epic song. It is a heavy song. It is an addictive song. Everyone is moving to the entrancing beat and the White Rabbits are at their finest.
There is a communal atmosphere on stage and any one member of the band can lead. It isn’t the same old lead singer and his minions. Every member is the star at some point and as a collective they are tremendous, like a drum and piano led Wu-Tang Clan. I leave the Water Rats knowing that I have seen a band who are going to go far, especially in the UK. They have the balls and desire to progress, combining genres and styles without a care to whom they may offend or alienate. White Rabbits are an all consuming and varied live band. Never dull and constantly powerful. Percussion Gun is currently receiving about 10 plays a day on my stereo. I seriously advice you check the White Rabbits out.
