Jetstream Pony: Bowerbirds And Bluethings

Jetstream Pony have released their new album Bowerbirds And Blue Things via Spinout Nuggets in the UK and Shelflife Records in North America.

Long time Louder Than War favourites Jetstream Pony, named after an ex-racing greyhound, are something of an Indie Supergroup featuring Beth Arzy (The Luxembourg Signal/Trembling Blue Stars/Aberdeen… and many more) on vocals and percussion, Shaun Charman (The Wedding Present/The Popguns/The Fireworks) on guitar and vocals, Kerry Boettcher (Turbocat) on bass, Tom Levesley on drums, and have been recently joined by Mark Matthews (The Dentists/The Treasures Of Mexico) on guitar.

With a line-up with such heritage, I’ll be honest, it’s hard not to like the album, which I do, but it did make me wonder how to be objective too. Clearly the band are the sum of its parts – which is part of the appeal – but let’s be honest, they’re not in the same bracket as a band such as The Molotov’s who are bristling with youth and energy, playing like their lives depend on it, nor do they fall into the bracket occupied by the likes of some of their peers who continue to tour and sporadically release music because it’s their livelihood.

As with the folks at Skep Wax (Swansea Sound/The Orchids) and to a degree Precious Recordings Of London (Blueboy/The Loft) this release from Spinout Nuggets is another example of ‘proper’ Indie (pre PWL dominating the Chart Show Indie Charts) made by C8x kids who formed bands at college and university have graduated, got jobs, got married, had kids and now found time to recapture what was possibly their first love, making music.  As most of these artists are in meaningful employment which covers the mortgage, I doubt any are still hoping/expecting to write a ‘hit’ that will change the world but take some satisfaction that they have something to offer to the other ‘Indie Kids’ who now find themselves at a similar point in their lives.

This is Jetstream Pony’s strength and also where they excel. Bowerbirds And Blue Things being a case in point. The members of the band all have strengths and something to bring to the party. Take the single Bubblegum Nothingness which heralded the arrival of this, the bands second full length album following their 2020 self-titled debut for example. The track is a ‘blast of shambling pop goodness ala Shop Assistants, Heavenly, and a touch of the Primitives’ (and I’d offer some Darling Buds too) with Beth’s hazy vocals offering a slice of Indie heaven. Then there is The Relativity of Wrong, a tale of youthful misbehaviour, with guest vocals from Eleni Poulou, formerly of The Fall, a track driven by Kerry’s heavy bass, a tale of youthful misbehaviour.

My personal favourite of the dozen tracks is Bonanza 2 Tango Sierra, the longest track of the album, clocking in at over 5 minutes, has a driving feel and gives the rhythm section a chance to flex their muscles, the extended instrumental intro, over a minute long reminding me of the extended instrumental outro of the Sea Urchins 1987’s flexi release Summershine. Not identical, but I think there (unknowingly) in spirit.

Other highlights include Tendrils, with Kerry taking the lead, it’s an echoing and ghostly track with Lush like etherealness quality whilst Only If You Want To is masterpiece in jangle pop with Arzy and Charman both on vocals.

There is something on Bowerbirds And Blue Things for all fans of Indie music, regardless of age, and is an album which will stand the test of time.

All words by Iain Key. See his author profile here or find him on Bluesky

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