After reviewing The Baby Seals excellent debut album ‘Chaos’ recently, I was luck enough to get invited to their London album launch. There was no way I was going to say no, as I enjoyed the record so much, I was excited to see them live. It was on a school night (Thursday 25th April) but that was a sacrifice I was prepared to make.
So a trip to Hoxton straight from work, as I work far closer to there than I live. I had a little time to kill, but then made my way to Folklore. It was only about 5 minutes walk from Hoxton Overground station but when I got to my destination according to Google Maps, I was standing at a dead end and completely confused. On the corner of the road was what appeared to be something- possibly a store, a cafe or restaurant. However you couldn’t see inside, and there was no sign to indicate what it was. Luckily some girls standing close by, saw me and asked me if I was going to the gig, so then I knew it was the place.
I went inside and the bar area as you went in was very quirky and unique. With vintage decorations including an old telephone, it certainly was different. The actual gig area was at the back, but the gig was running late so I had to wait for a bit longer for the doors to open.
There were two support acts- Zimmer and Bash! Zimmer played psychedelic rock, and Bash! played alternative pop rock. I thought the singer of Bash! sounded quite similar to Gwen Stefani, and as if to prove my point, their set even included a cover of ‘What You Waiting For?’
Finally it was the time for The Baby Seals. Singer Kerry Devine had made a large pointy hat (like she dons on the cover of ‘Chaos’) with a vulva hand drawn on it, which got a lot of cheers. Of course, once they started, the hat was soon blown off, and even half her cardigan was falling down at one point at the sheer velocity and rock n roll they created.
Every single track from ‘Chaos’ was played, with aplomb and style. I loved that one second Kerry was speaking about one of their music videos being inspired by her young child, but in another moment, the whole band was giving it all they got. Every song off that album is a banger, and this gig totally solidified that. People were singing and enjoying all of it. Highlight was the closer of the night ‘ID’d at Aldi’.
It was all played so brilliantly, I wished there was more music so the gig could go on longer. I will be watching this band very closely as I’m excited to see what is store for them. Could they be the band to bring feminist punk into the mainstream? Who knows, but I do think they have a very good shot.
‘Chaos’ is out now via Trapped Animal Records and you can buy it here
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Article by Hayley Foster da Silva
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