Hecuba @ White Heat, Madame Jo Jo’s

20th October 2009

White Heat isn’t your usual club night. I’m not just talking about the toilet attendants and their stash of soaps, lotions and scented tissues for the discerning piss-head, or even the too-old Japanese schoolgirls leafleting for their gothic Harajuku act. No, White Heat has a ridiculously good record for showcasing new bands who’ve graduated to the big time. The Klaxons, The Kills and Mystery Jets have all starred, while Foals made their first London appearance at the night. Not that Hecuba, the band that took second billing that evening, are anything like Foals.

There’s something unnerving about the two figures in film student black on the stage at Madame Jo Jo’s, yet it’s convinced Bat for Lashes and Devendra Banhart to ask them on tour. Hecuba reside in LA, but take their moniker from a mythical Grecian queen. They’re also nothing like the usual contingent of the city’s bands that achieve international renown: the music, an unclassifiable blend of electro, dub and lo-fi, is paired with suitably weird live theatrics thanks to the art and film experience of duo Jon Beasley and performance artist Isabelle Albuquerque. Indeed for their first number, “La Musica”, Albuquerque alternates between staccato dance movements to writhing on the floor, and with her buzz cut and non-descript outfit she could pass for a young Gary Numan. No offence intended: in a world where recorded music is as disposable as pot noodle, its live counterpart needs character and that’s just what Hecuba delivers.

Beasley is a calmer presence for the most part if only because he's occupied by his synth and drums. Towards the end of the set, “Suffering”, a song that wouldn't be out of place on a Eurovision compilation, sees him break into an embarrassing, uncoordinated dance as he assumes lead vocal duties. While Beasley isn’t a bad singer, I find myself appreciating Albuquerque’s low, whispery voice all the more.

It's the first few songs from Paradise, Hecuba's second Manimal Vinyl release, which really stand out. "Even So" is a sorrowful love song riddled with middle-eastern inflections, while "Miles Away" begins with the alien, siren-like strains of a flute, becoming a minimal dance track. Paradise ends with a few surprises too: "The Magic" shifts to unexpected balladry and soft jazz, culminating with a saxophone sequence.

Compared to many other acts performing at White Heat, Hecuba could be from another planet. We still know they live in California though: their departing song "Humanize" ends with the lyrics "Good times, good vibes", and with that Albuquerque and Beasley leave the crowd to an inevitably less intriguing headliner.

Siobhan Rooney