Coping Saw

there was also a strong, vibrant scene represented north of London - bands

like Pussycat Trash, Golden Starlet, Witchknot and further north in Scotland

Lung Leg, Hello Skinny and Sally Skull made strong, brave, individual

sounds. Among these true pioneers were Coping Saw, surely the most unhinged,

fearsome and genuinely exciting band of the lot.

Their sound was a neurotic mashing together of styles, aggressive, lyrically

expansive vocal work from WACK CAT's Karren Ablaze working over an boundless

number of influences, including riot-grrrl, jazz-tinged improvising ('Basket

Owl' and the heartbreaking 'For L'), pop ('Addictionary' and the emotive,

melancholy 'Boats'), krautrock (the frenzied, brilliant 'Gas Electric') and

brutal all-out punk ('No Sex In Rock'n' Roll'). Althogether it creates some

of the most vivid, affecting music created within the UK underground for

many years - one listen to the album closer and astounding musical

nervous-breakdown titled 'Roadblock' and you'll be stunned to silence by the

band's passion and extremity, it's definitely one of those 'moments'.

Sadly Coping Saw's days have passed, their members went onto new pastures

including bands and projects like WACK CAT, BEAR, LAZERBOY, ESPRIT DE CORPS,

ACTION CENTRAL and RANDOM NUMBER. Regardless of that though, 'Outside Now'

is still the defining moment of Coping Saw's life and greatness and sounds

as frenzied and raw as it did when it was made. You'd be foolish to

disregard this amazing piece of work.