Into A Circle
Oslo, London E8

 
NEW wave gone awry, post-punk with melody, not goth, but with a dark edge, seminal indie band Into A Circle are back on the London stage after an almost 33-year hiatus.

Promoting a new album of never-released original material, this is an interesting, albeit slightly underwhelming, return that is focused on the new old songs rather than the classic tracks the band built a following on.

Back in the 1980s lead singer Bee Hampshire was known for hanging out with Genesis P-Orridge of Psychic TV fame, while guitarist Barry Jepson was a member of Southern Death Cult with one Ian Astbury who went on to find fame with The Cult.

Into A Circle married the punk and the pop with even Rose McGowan — ex of Strawberry Switchblade — contributing vocals.

Influenced by counterculture, theology and spirituality Into A Circle carved out a niche that saw some intriguing live shows mixing music, art, visuals and vocals.

That theme continues, although it is less revelatory in the modern age when loops and laptops mix to create musical and visual connections at most shows.

In Drunk Stupid images of stairs clumsily echo the lyrics as a bit of a funkier edge is applied to the Japan-lite art school approach that is a little laboured, Spirit of Youth about P-Orridge’s daughter has a sweet message but doesn’t really stand out.

Elswehere Stitches comes across as much more lively, with references to god, trauma and tragedy all with a booming bassline, and multilayered guitar that has echoes of Robin Guthrie and the Cocteau Twins.

All kudos for not just playing their indie hits, but while the band are tight and Bee grabs your attention, the music is more the star, but of its time, and that time may be more past than present or future.