Music / Reviews
Review: TTSSFU, Strange Brew – ‘Perfectly flowing and tempestuously frenzied’
TTSSFU first screamed onto my musical radar this time last year supporting English Teacher in Electric Bristol.
I was eager to catch Tasmin perform again, with the release of her almost-album-sized EP Blown whetting my appetite even further.
Over from the States, support act Lonnie Gunn is a huge fan of TTSSFU, describing her music as so good: “It makes me throw up and wee myself”.
The feeling is clearly mutual as Tasmin is front row centre disguised like Kermit in a black hoodie, head-banging to the punk-pop crunch that is opening track Lucky Girl.
Lonnie admits to enjoying more crowd interaction than ever due to instrumental malfunctions and snapping strings, normally letting the music do the talking.
In a swift seven-song set single Lovebite purrs along, an emotional mid-tempo rock number that builds into an epic fuzzy chorus. EX GF is a set closer if ever I heard one, a heartbreak angst-ridden banger, the ending solo played on it’s knees as every punk rock show should end.
As I look up from the toilet sink, TTSSFU bursts out of a cubicle adorned with her customary blonde wig, shades, white wine in hand – I’m guessing it’s show time!
The boys in the band are dressed in immaculate, crisp white shirts. TTSSFU doesn’t mess about, unleashing two big bangers early doors, with the new shimmering single Call You Back followed by punk rock prowess GOAT.
One fan goes deep, whipping their head uncontrollably, much to Tasmin’s glee. Forever has the trademark whispering vocals creating a sense of closeness and vulnerability; there’s power in being understated.
Baggage is dedicated to Meg from Panic Shack with its refrain: “I’m doing it for you; do you know that I love you!?” delivered with a rye smile. I’d like to get to the bottom of that story.
“Just to warn you, I’m going to scream and walk offstage in a minute” is the introduction to I Hope You Die.
The wig is temporary but the angst is permanent as she whips off her black boots, screams repeatedly, and chucks her wig and guitar down, a tempestuously frenzied finish to a perfectly flowing set where one song bled into the next, like the best TTSSFU live mixtape you could make.
Fans queued to buy what was left of the ‘TTSSFU for President’ t-shirts, squeezing themselves into smalls, the only size left; it didn’t seem to bother them.
One day, TTSSFU will make a great president, I’m sure of it.
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Wandering into the Lanes, I caught the end of an epic set by Chartreuse.
The place was packed, and they had the crowd under their spell. Everywhere I looked, people were engrossed.
I was lucky to catch a highly emotive song, “I’m losing it,” – a beautiful bonus to end my night.
All images: Matt Barnes
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