“How can you lie there and think of England, when you don’t even know who’s in the team” (Billy Bragg: Greetings to the New Brunette)

Why do we begin with a Billy Bragg lyric? Why are Cattle & Cane my new favourite band? Why, by the end of the summer will you be bored of hearing me go on about them? Why do I start a review with a load of questions I never answer?

Here at the Northernline we have fallen head over heels in love with these young scamps. You may recall our review from the Ku bar a month or so ago. We also haven’t told you about how they stole the show at Middlesbrough Music Live. We also plan to see them at least another 3 or 4 times this summer. Sorry to be boring but I assure you that by this time next year they will not be playing family fun days at the Dormans with half a dozen bands who don’t even bear a mention. We at the northernline listen to our mothers. You know when she said “If you’ve got nothing nice to say then don’t say anything!!” Remember? Well the other bands are not being mentioned for that very reason.

“England is mine. And it owes me a living” (The Smiths: Still ill)

But back to Cattle & Cane. With their extended line up,which now includes James Hammill (yes, he is another sibling. They are not like The Ramones where they all just share a surname. There are actually 4 members of one family in the band!!! And another 5 still to join!!!) James adds an extra electric guitar which fills out the sound even more. Last week after a few beers at Middlesbrough Music Live I described the band, and especially Helens voice, as magical. Stone cold sober I still stick with that description. Songs such as “Sold my Soul”, “This is where we go from” and “Belle” are both uplifting and melancholic all within a few lines. Comparisons abound but none do them justice. I bumped into someone today who said Joes voice reminded her of Paolo Nutini. Not sure myself but everyone agrees they are wonderful. Helens voice reminds me of Laura Marling who I wasn’t too impressed with until I saw her on Jools Holland recently. Now I have fallen for her new album and especially the ghostly track “Goodbye England“. Another reference to our sacred Isle. Yes ladies and Gentleman today was also Englands opening game of the 2010 World Cup. But less said about that and Robert Green the better.

“England made me. Let England deal with me” (Easterhouse: “Get back to Russia”)

So, despite the football we had a great day. The sun shone. Cattle & Cane played a short but enthralling set. The kids spent all my money on the bouncy castle and I had Steven Gerrard in the sweep!!!

I look forward to seeing this band many times this summer. If you have any sense you will do the same. Go to their myspace site and have a listen. But it is in the live arena that you will really appreciate them. Gigs listed below. When you have fallen in love with them send me a message and I will stop going on about them. But for now I make no apologies.

 http://www.myspace.com/cattleandcanemusic

By peter on June 14, 2010