Live Review: Oxes, Subway, Edinburgh, 12/06/05

words: chris_ps

Sometimes less is more (although, not always) so it went without saying that one of the support bands (either of the local metal types who were pretty dull and uninspired) could have been culled - at least the quirky acoustic troubadour that is Oso was semi-interesting. So, and in such a spirit, here is my review of last night's Oxes gig -

• Complex, roaring, jagged, non-linear, math-metal? Check.
• Playing songs while in the audience or standing on tables at the back of the room? Check.
• Playing songs standing while on top of boxes? Check.
• Old, bare-chested Dick Campbell lookalike with a cane sat by the side of the stage for banter purposes? Check.
• Non-ironic cover of Alice In Chains' "Them Bones" complete with random audience member on vocals? Check.
• Support act (yer man from Oso) drinking piss out of a pint glass at the end? Check.
• "Performance art" of naked guitarist crawling on the floor and spitting remnants of a banana at people? Check.
• The feeling, when leaving the venue, of feeling utterly fulfilled and muttering the words "now, that's entertainment!"? Check.
  

Just another day at the office for the Oxes then.