Some of the best gigs at the Wedgewood Rooms are the unexpected. As with the Courettes, one minute I was crashed out on the sofa, yet within the hour I was standing at the Wedge beer in hand.
Support by: Paul Groovy and the WitchDoktors
Paul Groovy and The Pop Art Experience were strutting their stuff on stage when we arrived. As the only band tonight I’d seen previously, I knew what to expect and have to say they were on top form. Although I had certainly heard great things of both WitchDoktors and the Courettes to feel me with anticipation.
So, while Paul Groovy and The Pop Art Experience confidently performed a sling of punk tunes, a taste of familiarity also meant they had some fans in already. Likewise, when it came to the WitchDoktors (with a K as they were keen to point out), they too have clearly gained a decent following.
Within my knowledge of the group, I was expecting some sort of stomping psychobilly garage band and initially, this is what we got. Albeit a few songs in and things could easily have turned into a new side project from the great Kirk Brandon (Spear of Destiny, Theatre of Hate). Either way, Mr Teeth was certainly loving the WitchDoktors and thanks to their constant reminder, I’ve remembered to spell it with a K.
The Courettes – Wedgewood Rooms
The Courettes – Wedgewood Rooms
Headliners the Courettes are a duo consisting of Martin Couri from Denmark and his partner Flavia from Brazil. They had already made friends here in Portsmouth from a previous show just down the road at the much smaller venue of the Loft.
The pair still maintained an intimate atmosphere with Martin having his drumkit right up front of the stage. Meanwhile, Flavia enjoyed making the most of her additional space, as both members took every opportunity to interact with their audience.
To begin with, this made for a slightly stop/start performance, with the crowd fairly stagnant as a result. Yet this wasn’t anything against the Courettes, who were truly superb throughout. Think of 1960’s garage rock n roll meeting the B52’s via girl band the Ronettes.
The Wedgewood rooms soon started to get into the likes of “R.I.N.G.O” and before long Southsea was showing plenty of affection. As was reciprocated by the band, whereby Flavia constantly had a big smile, while Martin added some rather amusing between-song banter to help rile up the crowd.
I must admit, at the current time of writing I’ve yet to listen to the Courettes properly on record… however, the artwork is clearly in keeping with those aforementioned 60’s vibes.
Note to self, listen to “Back in Mono” by the Courettes – out now.
