After doing the rounds as DJ’s on the Brighton drum & bass scene for the last few years, tonight finally saw the debut gig from Qemists as a 3-piece band. There’s a tendency with dance acts to be ultimately disappointing live simply through not being heavy enough. New Zealand’s Shapeshifter are one exception but a lot of their recent releases border on the more laid back side. No such worry with Qemists’ “Join the Q” album, being as it is jam-packed with rotten basslines.
Using fairly standard (though slightly modded) drums, bass and guitar, Qemists had said they would not perform live until they could convey the full sound of their studio productions. Using the occasional keyboard, a massive array of pedals and triggered samples (midi-enabled guitars, nice!) all, vitally, controlled live they have taken the time to do it and damn well do it right.
Joined on stage by two MC’s, along with the live instrumentation and multi layered samples, the sound was so full that it seemed too much for the Audio sound system to handle. Set opener “Stompbox” complete with screaming vocals, “When Your Lonely” and “Drop Audio” were all suitably heavy if somewhat muddy with the drum cymbals and other finer elements getting lost in the mix.
From this point on, the sound improved a little with the sparser arrangement of “Got One Life”, allowing everything to come through with the tight, clear and intricate drum pattern being particularly welcome. Jenna G announced she and MC Bruno were stepping back for “The Perfect High” before Qemists unleashed the massive basslines and full-on filth which they are capable of. “On the Run” (Jenna G’s actual guest vocal on “Join the Q”) was an energy filled highlight while the soaring, interweaving bass of personal favourite “S.W.A.G” had all the face melting power live that I’d hoped for.
With more and more live dates coming up (including 2 in Japan!) and the album only just out I’m sure it wont be long Qemists are doing a homecoming gig. I just hope that this time it’s in a venue that can fully do justice to all the elements that make the album so good, where you can actually hear them, clearly and very, very loud.
Words by Chris Leggett
Join The Q is available now at ninjatune.net
