“I know loads of you noticed that I dropped the shaker halfway through that song,” announces Jack Goldstein, the unassuming frontman of Oxford band Fixers. After a brief apology and deliberation, the group reached a mutual decision. “Let’s play it again.”
Most people inside Hoxton Bar & Grill were too busy bopping to notice the slight hitch. They are not complaining though, as the five-piece launch back into an immaculate rendition of ‘Crystals’, a sparse but pulsating slice of pop. This merged with sweet harmonies, is their signature sound.
The unorthodox decision to replay the same song, to get it just right, is a reflection of Fixers’ craftsmanship and attention to detail, the result of which has seen these boys come far, very quickly. The BBC, NME magazine and the Guardian are all over these guys and it is easy to see why. They layer chiming guitars over electro samples and build up to epic choruses – without straying into Snow Patrol territory.
Every song is greeted with approval from the eclectic mixture of observers, which ranges from hipsters in their twenties to old-timers with – evidently – cultured tastes. The set is paced brilliantly with a blend of upbeat grooves and lower-key atmospheric moments that keep everybody engaged throughout.
Taken from their upcoming EP ‘Imperial Goddess of Mercy’ the lyrics “I’m in love with a tropical world” on ‘Trans Love’ just about sum up the mood inside the venue. There is definitely an element of sunshine to Fixers’ music.
It seems harsh to pick out individuals in what is so obviously an all-round talented outfit, but drummer Michael Thompson is worthy of a special mention. He barely drops a beat all evening and injects an incredible amount of energy, the evidence of which glistens on his forehead as the evening progresses.
After an hour of top tunes, the band closes with new single ‘Majesties Ranch’. This dynamic tune, driven at times by dirty guitar and at times by three-piece harmonies, sounds like something the Beach Boys may have dreamt up if they were touring Africa in the 80s.
As the set draws to a close Fixers thank the crowd politely and wish us all a very pleasant evening. We like Fixers.
