Distinct gravelly Mark Lanegan vocals delight Atelier

By Patrick Cameron

An early adopter of the Seattle Grunge scene, Lanegan brought his tales of love and loss to a captivated den Atelier.

Tuesday night saw alternative rocker Mark Lanegan bring his blend of post grunge/Americana to the den Atelier stage.

Lanegan has built up a devoted fan base over his thirty year career, spanning early grunge rock days in Seattle with his band “Screaming Trees” to vocalist in “Queens of The Stone Age” to collaborations with the likes of Kurt Cobain and country tinged duets with Isobel Campbell (Belle and Sebastian). So it is fair to say he hasn’t rested on his laurels.

Last year saw the release of Lanegan’s most acclaimed solo album to date “Phantom Radio”. And at 50 years of age it’s remarkable to see such a creative output still pouring from him.

First up however was “Faye Dunaways” who are made up of Lanegan’s backing band. They managed to create a somewhat ethereal sound with their effects and samples whilst managing to conjure up some psychedelic stoner rock elements.

One part of the Faye Dunaways is the experimental blues singer/songwriter Duke Garwood who is up next for a solo performance. I’ve been a fan of Garwood for a while and knew he has been a collaborator with Lanegan but had no idea we was the support or in the “Faye Dunaways”. His records flow from mesmerising beauty to somewhat jarring listens at times. But wonderful as his whisky-drenched vocals sounded and as great a tone as he got from his reverb heavy guitar, the set didn’t vary enough, it was all a bit one tempo. I was left wanting more from him and having seen him before I know he has more to offer.

Then it was time for Mark Lanegan, as you’d imagine from a man who is often regarded as one of the early pioneers of the grunge scene, he was all dressed in black with dark sunglasses, not a word is muttered, then straight into “Harvest Home” from his latest album. Lanegan’s husky baritone vocals set a dark and desolate soundscape over the psychedelic keyboards.

Lanegans greatest weapon his undoubtedly his voice, it’s a voice that echoes all the experiences of a man who has lived a colourful past of ups and downs, heartaches and loss. “No Bells On Sunday” is one of those regret-laden ballads that channelled his modern day Johnny Cash.

As much as Lanegan is constantly pigeonholed as grunge, it didn’t take long to realise he is much more than that. The set flowed from bluesy rhythms of “One Way Street” to the post punk sounds of a “New Order” style synth over “Floor of The Ocean” off his latest and possibly most eclectic album.

“The Gravedigger’s song” got a rousing response from the crowd as would be expected, It seems he took much from his time in “Queens of the Stone Age” here with drums and bass pulsating to his growl. It’s where he utilised his grunge style to precision.

There was very little uttered from Lanegan except the occasional thank you, this again in keeping with the persona. Overall it was a more intriguing mix of influences than I expected, all subtly blended into a cohesive set of American gothic storytelling.

Take a read of Patrick Cameron's other reviews in his very own dossier:   Patrick's concert news & reviews 

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