If you were at Green Man Festival this year, you might have run into London’s freshest artpunk posse on the Rising stage. Six-piece Man/Woman/Chainsaw played their first show when members were just 16 years old; Any Given Sunday, Back/Burden and What Lucy Found There, three self-released singles released across 2022-2023, caught the attention of many hoping to catch the next big thing.
An unpredictable force featuring two guitars, bass, keys, drums and violin, M/W/C can sound delicate and orchestral, but in the swing of things, juxtaposed by a heel of angst, kicking you ever so slightly when you’ve become too relaxed and accepting. It’s pretty, with a side of ferociousness.
It’s also their first time in Cardiff, and standing in front of a packed room on the eve of debut EP Eazy Peazy – produced by Gilla Band’s Daniel Fox – the band could be mistaken for a group of local students who’ve wandered in from the Wetherspoons across the road. But, soundtracked by 50 Cent’s In Da Club, they’re setting up their instruments, with onlookers mostly of a similar age. Alongside the release of Eazy Peazy comes the announcement of their signing to American label Fat Possum.
Opening the night are local newcomers Casual Smart, who released their delicate lo-fi debut It Doesn’t Get Any Easier in May. Rough around the edges, akin to a bedroom recording, this only accentuates the song’s independently crafted nature; live, they’re pleasant and understated, transitioning from recording to live succinctly.
Second support is the well-established project of Joe Woodward: the slightly gothic, often noise-focused Midding, who now feature drummer Nia Abraham. (Notably, this was my first time seeing a drummer keep pace while playing stood up.) The band have a further show lined up at Bristol’s Old England on Thurs 28 Nov, if you wanted to catch them once more before the new year.
Back to Man/Woman/Chainsaw: the six piece’s setlist features songs only heard live at showtime, though all featured on Eazy Peazy – including EZPZ, Sports Day and Grow A Tongue In Time, along with their three singles, the mighty The Boss and cinematic anticipation climber Ode To Clio. Live, made up of members Billy Ward (vocals, guitars), Emmie-Mae Avery (vocals, keys/synths), Vera Leppänen (vocals, bass), Clio Starwood (violin) and Lola Cherry (drums), M/W/C’s songcraft is refreshing, mixing styles, vocal deliveries and themes throughout. I wouldn’t be surprised if there was an album on the way to us, and I’m excited to hear more of the group’s erratic side in future songs.
Man/Woman/Chainsaw / Midding / Casual Smart, Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, Thurs 7 Nov
words EMMA WAY photos SAM STEVENS
