Indigo Moss is not a great name for a band. Admittedly it’s not up there with Manchester’s Crispy Ambulance, but still it’s bad. Fortunately though the band doesn’t live up to their name, as they deliver some foot-stomping, hand-clapping rockabilly (and the odd broken down ballad for good measure).

Kindled by some emotive and dynamic vocals from Trevor Moss and a plethora of instruments, ranging from the humble washboard to the evocative mandolin this band know how to fire up a crowd (they even squeeze in a bit of audience participation to really raise the festive spirit).

And so onto the main attracti, Howling Bells. Originating from the Southern Hemisphere, the quartet’s self-titled debut album (recorded in our very own Parr Street studios) has met with much critical success. Described as “indie noir” their sound hails from some mystic other world, tinged with a darkness that speaks of broken bones, bleeding hearts and wishing stones. I must point out though that in this other world they can still knock up a cracking melody.

They are a band of contrasts – Juanita Stein’s vocals are a mixture of ethereal fragility and undeniable power, similarly their music soars to epic scales, whilst drawing its strength from a variety of nuances. And it is the friction between these contrasts that make the Howling Bells so intoxicating.

Opening with the paired down guitar of The Bell Hit, it is a slow and sultry start in keeping with their heady reputation. The band play the range of their album, whilst bantering with the crowd about their Parr Street days. Before launching into The Night Is Young Juanita credits producer Ken with fighting for the song’s inclusion on the album. I’d always considered this track to be their weakest, in my mind failing to harmonise with the organic sound of the album.

However the live version sheds the song’s whimsical feel to reveal a real potency…the best ones really are the growers.  The set peaks with the emphatically wired Low Happening - its withering lyrics intensified by the frenetic energy of the jerky guitars. As anticipated the Howling Bells performance is charged, distinct and utterly addictive.

Lib Murray