Live
< The Roger Sisters @ The Garage
words by Duncan Roberts
After the endless combinations of red and black lights flashing and endless smoke puffing from the stage left, there is a sudden stampede of the public from one side of the venue to the next. The lights slowly dim and finally, three figures saunter onto the stage, quietly confident and in control. ‘Howdy’ says Miyuki Furtado, effectively bursting the bubble of suspense and beginning the energetic surge of electricity, exploding in front of the eyes of a Garage crowd, sweating with expectation. Violently, the drumbeat bounces out from the first couple of tracks, stinging us. It is as if a queen bee had climbed in your ear and placed her needle in the centre of your drum.
On stage, The Roger Sisters are a well-oiled unit, knowing each other inside out and evoking an air of confidence, stimulating a build up of euphoria from the Garage faithful.
When The Rogers Sisters deliver their newest singles, ‘Emotion Control’ and ‘The Conversation’, the band are at full throttle. ‘Emotion Control’ bounces off the ceiling through its emphatic, Bloc Party-like drum beat. Jennifer Rogers uses an attention-grabbing delay on her guitar, delicately varying the enchanting Frank Black sound to make it her own. Perhaps the most impressive part is the manner in which the band switches volume, slapping you round the face one minute and then gently stroking your cheek in an attempt to prepare you for the next onslaught.
Similar in rhythm, ‘The Conversation’ is arguably perhaps a little bit too close for comfort. However, the band’s energy and professionalism inserts a sense that they are here to invade English iPods as they march across the country. Carrying with it an air of certainty, ‘The Conversation’, is just like the band itself. Dirty guitar distortion, in conjunction with a gritty vocal quality, it is full of simplistic, bold lines that they love to install.
‘The Light’, is again fast and furious with an energy bursting out of the speakers. However, taking centre stage is a chorus, which ties you down and demands you to listen. Its distorted solo produces an interesting interlude, screeching out of the amps like a cat singing along to Pavarotti.
With the encore complete, and all three figures bathed in a smoky white light, the crowd are left to consider what they have just witnessed. Repetition and similarity is the name of the game for The Roger Sisters. But regardless, they produce a gripping, exciting and professional live routine.
Originally appeared in volume 1, issue 7 of Loud & Quiet magazine
