JAN WOOLF applauds the necessarily subversive character of the Palestinian poster in Britain
Pearls in a rock oyster
MIK SABIERS sees a dynamic duo in blistering form
MARTIN GRAHAM welcomes a comprehensive history of the national debt, while regretting that it is neither up to date, nor has a class-based analysis
SYLVIA HIKINS is bowled over by a wonderful show that both entertains and educates
JOHN HAWKINS welcomes the straight-talking condemnation of genocide by a queer Jewish environmental journalist
TOMASZ PIERSCIONEK relishes a detailed history of the battles, manoeuvres and tactics that defeated fascism
MARIA DUARTE recommends an exposure of the state violence used against pro-Palestine protests in the US
CHRIS SEARLE urges you to hear the US saxophonist Joe McPhee on livestream tonight
The Pearl Harts
Sebright Arms, London
DEEP in the bowels of a basement bar in London’s Bethnal Green the sound reverberates, shaking the building to its foundations.
It emanates from The Pearl Harts, two women playing their first-ever sell-out show promoting debut album Glitter and Spit.
Sara Leigh Shaw pounds the drums like there’s no tomorrow, while giving it her all on guitar and vocals is Kirsty Lowrey. This blistering duo take the audience on a rapid ride through rock, metal, blues and more.
Opening with Go Hard and its refrain of “I wanna make you shiver, I wanna make you shake,” the music takes the guitar riffs of Black Sabbath, adds that deep drum beat and combines them with vocals reminiscent of Joan Jett.
It's a strong start which builds through the next number The Rush which channels Led Zeppelin and it's followed by Lara, a shoutalong paean to a friend who doesn’t care what anybody thinks about her. As the set progresses, the riffs build while the drums shift to a more melodic and almost disco dance-driven edge.
Midway through they take it down for what Lowrey calls the band’s love ballad. With two backing singers, the harmonies recall the melodic musings of Warpaint but the calm doesn’t remain for long.
The guitar takes over for Hit the Bottle, bringing the band back to Runaways-type hard-rock riffs that continue through to a confetti-filled finale. After just 11 songs, they’re gone.
Overall there are shades of great bands like Sabbath, Joan Jett, Courtney Love and Hole by way of Warpaint and a bit of The Cramps running through what they do. In places, there’s even Blondie-like funky disco beats and other hidden gems.
Like a rock oyster, The Pearl Harts are hard, dirty, throbbing and cool, so get ready to prise open that shell for a glittering reward.
They have potential, the question is whether they'll live up to the promise. It’s still early days but this duo are definitely one to keep an eye – and especially ear – out for.
On tour with Louise Distras until April 28, details: thepearlharts.com
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