Date:

Wed, 2008/04/16

Venue:

The Borderline, London

They’re young, they’re skilled and they’ve already supported Bloc Party. Don Blandford looks for cracks in their cool… and realises he can’t find any.

Maths can be so cruel. Adding up the combined years of those on stage I realise it still amounts to less than my age. But Smoosh would make even Poppy & The Jezebels seem ‘mature’. Asya stands behind her keyboards waiting for her sister’s cue. Meanwhile Chloe has managed to get herself tied up in her hair-band so can’t start drumming yet.

They’re already getting bored with the songs from their new album. Typical teenagers!

They start with an old song from way back when they were fresh-faced and naïve. You know, before they went off touring with The Go! Team, Sleater Kinney and Pearl Jam. ‘Massive Cure’ is all pumping keyboard and girlie-high vocals reminiscent of The Cardigans before they cashed-in. Such youth! Such talent! It’s totally unfair. I search for signs of vulnerability. The arrival of an even younger sibling, Maia, on bass brings the average age down further and still they remain unfazed. The kids are alright! Daddy Smoosh is in the audience. He’s almost apologetic that his girls are adding in new songs and adapting their old ones. He tells me they’re already getting bored with the songs from their new album. Typical teenagers! Except they’re not. Smoosh are exceptional and here’s the proof: a couple of covers. These aren’t just any old covers - both are thank-yous to bands they’ve supported. First up is their take on Bloc Party’s ‘This Modern Love’ – a determined yet fragile renditon. Next the playful lyrics of The Eels ‘Flyswatter’ bounce from Asya like surreal playground prose. There’s time left for the modtastic ‘Organ Talk’ - complete with Booker T instrumental frills - before they slip in another new track while Dad’s not looking. Even the encore is executed with cool aplomb. These sisters are definitely doing it for themselves.

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Pics: Sally Saveall

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