Hefner and Murry the Hump @ the Point, 15/04/00

Murry the Hump alone could headline the point, and drag in a decent crowd, but as they are supporting Hefner they bring them along to experience the thrill which is, a gig at the Point.

For Murry the Hump, Oxford is almost a home from home, and gigs here are almost more regular than gigs in Oxford for local bands. Each song is greeted by such a great cheer, you would almost think they are here to save the world. They play a mixture of old and new songs. Songs like Thrown like a Stone and Colouring Book still sound as fresh as the first time they played them, although their growing experience from touring does show. The new songs are not a great departure from the old material, but this isn't a bad thing. The new single is a love song, but a love song the only way Murry the Hump can write. And Kebab Or Shag is becoming the song for participation.They are now also doing what the Samurai Seven have made famous (ahem)... syncronised sissors jumps!

Nothing Murry the Hump did could prepare us for the hour with Hefner. After initial hiccups with equipment, Hefner played a great set. Everyone was singing along, even the band seemed to be surprised by the adoration the crowd was showing. And who could believe it, there was even moshing. Most bands, when touring a new album, would play only songs from that specific album. But then Hefner are not your typical band. They played a mixture of songs old, and new. The songs sound better live then they did on record, which is a very scary thought. One thing that would never come out on record is their interaction with the audience. Most bands would play and only occasionally talk to the crowd, but almost in between every song they would tell us about their songs in depth, about the song that they wrote in preparation for Margaret Thatcher's death, or how they were really hot on stage, the usual complaint at the Point. And Darren even did a bit of dancing.

Possibly one of the best gigs ever.

until the next best gig anyway.