Dream Nails

It is a good while since I last saw self-proclaimed punk witches Dream Nails play in Norwich. From memory, it was 2018, at the Waterfront Studio, and they were supported by Norwich's very own riot-grrrl activists, Peach Club. Peach Club have since gone their own ways, and Dream Nails have gone through several line-up changes since then, but now they are back with a new album, 'You Wish', and were clearly thrilled to see it enter the UK album charts two weeks ago at number 97. It is their second album release for Marshall Records, and sees the band trying to make sense of the modern world, and coming to terms with technology and artificial intelligence, focussing instead on humanity, and searching for hope and optimism within the cosmos. The result is an album of new songs that balances their political consciences with a cosmic recalibration and a spiritual awareness that now extends beyond their pro-LBGTQ affiliations. The band now reveal an empathy with animals and the entire natural world.

With the current line-up consisting of  founding member Anya Pearson (guitar), Mimi Jasson (bass and vocals), and Lucy Katz (drums), the trio are joined on this headlining tour by Alex Mackenzie on guitars and keys. The set features no less than eight of the new songs from 'You Wish', but still finds time to resurrect killer songs from their back catalogue, including gender anthem 'Geraniums' and big business basher 'Corporate Realness'. The new songs reveal their fear of technology ('Zeroes', 'Organoid', 'The Information'), and celebrates our connections with each other ('The Spirit Does Not Burn') as well as with nature ('Move Like An Animal'). There is even room for a surfing song ('Pack My Wax') which, appropriately enough, is played immediately after the floaty dreaminess of 'This Is Water'. But the angriness of songs like 'Kiss My Fist' (from their eponymous 2020 album) remind us of the voracious campaigning spirit that drives Dream Nails forward. With lucky horseshoes and drumsticks being handed out to fans, this has been a gig about standing strong and standing proud, and whilst Dream Nails may be self-proclaimed musical witches, their love for their audience is clear to see.

Main support was from Norwich favourites Damp Matches, whose own debut album 'It Won't Take Long' was released last November, and who have achieved so much as a band since I first saw them play at Epic Studios (supporting Bodega) just over three years ago. They are about to take a well earned break, so this was our last chance to hear them for a while, and for us to join in one last time in 'Cruisin', their imaginary musical re-enactment of a fight between Justin Beiber and Tom Cruise.

Opening support came by way of Arthouse Horror, a Norwich band making their live debut tonight with a spectacular six-song set, comprising several dark and spooky titles ('Little Ghost', 'Bury The Bones', and 'Space Between Dreams' being just three of them), but also the best cover of Echo & The Bunnymen's 'Killing Moon' that I have probably ever heard. And their closer, 'Meat Song' reminded me of 'Teeth', a classic track from former Norwich favourites Fever Fever.Arthouse Horror's songs have a richness of melody which is quite beguiling, delivered by a lead singer whose voice reminded me a lot of Howling Bells' Juanita Stein. Which is kind of weird, because Arthouse Horror's next gig is opening for Howling Bells at the Waterfront on the 29th of this month. Go check them out.