The Tiger Lillies

Synopsis

Be warned: those demented doyens of the music underground are surfacing. If subject matter ranging from sex with giraffes and cars, transsexual prostitutes with prosthetic legs, crucifying Jesus.. and Slough upset your sensibilities, then steer clear. If the thought of three lunatics in outlandish costumes: one pumping trance-like on a squeezebox while singing falsetto to the accompaniment of a drum kit constructed from a pram; and a bevvy of bizarre instruments including a musical saw and a church organ worries you, then leave now.

Our Review:

12 February 2012

Over the course of twenty years - and an astonishing 30 plus albums - The Tiger Lillies have walked their own unique path. Whilst never mainstream, they have managed to attract a dazzling collection of celebrity fans: Marilyn Manson, Terry Gilliam, Simpson’s creator Matt Groening and Mark Almond have all rhapsodised over the Lillies’ dark, twisted music.

Almond is a good point of reference, as singer Martyn Jacques - made up like a gruesome circus clown - is similarly drawn to life’s underbelly; ‘Brechtian punk cabaret’ is Jacques’ own description but that’s only half the story. Possessed of a remarkable falsetto voice, he sings troubling songs about prostitution, rape, murder, infanticide and addiction. There’s little between-songs patter, and Jacques stays in sinister character throughout.

Lets not overlook the deft musical contributions of double bassist Adrian Stout and ...

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Latest User Review

Simon - 14 February 2012:

There can't be many concerts where you are openly encouraged to shout "Bumholes" at a band consisting of a man on a saw, another who sings but won't speak, and a third playing a miniature drum kit. A great night out. BUMHOLES!...

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