At ’16 Toneladas’ in Valencia, ‘The House of Love’ offered a night of atmospheric indie-rock grooves, led by founding member Guy Chadwick on lead vocals and guitar. Joining him were the band’s relatively new line up with Hugo Degenhardt on drums, bassist Harry Osborne and Keith Osborne playing lead guitar. Together they sounded great. Opening up with the hypnotic Cruel, the band presented a mysterious, broody and hypnotic aura. Abstract lyrics further this mood. The stage fog, defused by the bright stage lights, added to the atmosphere. Together, Degenhardt’s drumming and Harry Osborne’s solid bass playing are forceful. Decisively crisp, they laid a foundation for the two guitars to roam, interchange and explore. This is music where droning electric guitars and great rock dance beats blend magnificently.
Hannah has this driving beat and a certain chill-vibe that explodes at the chorus with the most enticing dynamic. This is an example of Chadwick’s songwriting talent.
They played their hit single Shine On and delighted fans. Chadwick’s voice is reminiscent of Depeche Mode’s Dave Gahan. A deep and slightly dark voice. The House of Love’s vocals blend with the instrumentation rather than in front of the mix, adding to the mysterious sound.
The show was headier than expected, like listening-music rather than musicians’ vying for fans’ attention. These are songs to sway and dance to rather than any sort of stage spectacle. No rock ‘n’ roll stunts here. Just musicians really getting into the music and likewise the public.
The Beatles and The Stones had a mellow, pop-like sound. Soft guitar runs to a second-line type of quiet beat stood out differently from their other songs. Safe was also in that same vibe. The chorus melody is subtle and catchy, punctuated with powerful guitar chords and hard guitar riffs. Again, they master song dynamics.
Feel had a disco beat and driving bass that gracefully complimented the ethereal vocals. While Into The Tunnel has a more ghostly melody with a moment of loud rage making for a more edgy sound. They continued the night with Girl With The Loneliest Eyes and Crush Me. Se Dest had really chilled, cool, jazzy verses that went into a chorus that erupted with frenetic drums… and then back to the slow jazz groove. A really catchy original song. They ended the set with Burn Down The World before returning to the stage for one encore being a really memorable and extended version of Love in a Car.
Their sound takes one back to the late 80s and early 90s. The House of Love was in a musical moment between Jesus and The Mary Chain, Echo and The Bunnymen, U2 and… on the other shore… The Stone Roses and Primal Scream. It is a post-punk/new wave and pre-Manchester sound.
The House of Love should have been equal peers during this period but for all the unexpected obstacles along the way and personal dynamics affecting the band’s progression. Despite several charting singles, their place in music history is more the germination of a genre. They helped usher in the sound for their era yet are not an act who really reaped international charting hit singles, fame and fortune. However, they sure hold a special place in fans’ hearts and memories.
From the stage, Chadwick expressed how much he liked Valencia. Let’s hope that is a hint that The House of Love will return.
Report by Phillip Solomonson
Article copyright 24/7 Valencia
‘House of Love’ photos copyright Phillip Solomonson/ ‘24/7 Valencia’
More info: www.philamonjaro.com
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