TWO YEARS OF TUTTAGE

Almost two years ago, for a Kate Nash show just off Plymouth’s grubby and well.. a bit stabby.. bus station, a force of nature was about to enter my life. I go to quite a few gigs and that means quite a few support bands, a lot of whom can just pass you by. The Tuts are not here to pass anybody by. Ok, I admit it, I am quite partial to a woman in dungarees and here was THREE of them. Instant glamour radiating from this most shabby of surroundings. But it’s much more than that, it’s the things that I’ve grown to love more and more over the past two years.

– The energy and conviction of their show.
– Hair whipping. Seriously, don’t underestimate the power of hair whipping.
– The madness that usually follows them about like a shit crazy bat.
– The image. They not only look like rock stars – THEY ARE ROCK STARS. They’re glamorous AND kick ass. Neither afraid to be too glamorous or “normal” for want of a much better word. A lot of male bands I love have dabbled in femininity (Manics, Mansun, Placebo etc) and I used to myself when I was skinnier!. The Tuts project a “This is us, if you don’t like it sod off” vibe which is refreshing in this climate of mundane fake soul boy singers.
– Their willingness to stand up for what they believe in, be it sexism or hatred of the Tories. YES, FUCK THE TORIES.
– The eye wateringly hilarious interviews. Honestly. Comedy gold.
– The fact that, for all the fun they are deeply ambitious. They want people to hear them. They want to sell records and play to loads of people. Why did that ever become a shameful thing for bands to admit? It is music, it is MEANT for ears.

 The legend himself

The second time I saw them in Gloucester they had a fourth member, Fernando. a blow up doll. He didn’t really add to the dynamic but it was still sad news be told at a later date that he’d passed away before having the opportunity to be sacked. Rest In Peace Fernando, rarely a day goes by when I actually think about you. Sorry. And so, in 2013 I saw them another four or five times, my personal highlight was when they OWNED Shepherd’s Bush Empire. Or they did until a dull man band killed the vibe. What were they called, anyone remember? Now they DID pass me by.

A random drunk man in Exeter. He never became a full-time member

As a result of Tuttage (this is now a real word) I’ve found out more about ‘Dovetown’ and all it represents (the magnificent Colour Me Wednesday) and discovered an exciting DIY scene (Perkie, Block Fort, Ay Carmela!, Martha, Onsind to name some).

Last Saturday I made my way to Bristol in a last minute bid to see them supporting The Selecter. I had no ticket and no way of getting in. Half an hour before The Tuts were due on stage someone on Facebook contacted me with a spare. What with travel, I ended paying £30 to watch them play a 30 minute set. A pound per minute. And you know what, it was worth it. Yes, I may be a twat but I was a happy twat.

After a gig last year, Bev asked me why I liked The Tuts. Now, I’m not the quickest thinker on the block and that mixed with being filmed at the time resulted in a shy,  rubbish “I don’t know” response. I do know. Of course I know. I really should have said “Because they’ve got the tunes and the attitude. 2015 badly needs them – it just doesn’t know it yet”.

So there you go Bev, there’s your answer.