Gig review: An Eveni9ng With The Handsome Family, St Andrew’s In The Square, Glasgow

HUSBAND and wife team Brett and Rennie Sparks may originally hail from the Windy City, but their music is as southern gothic as it comes.

Brett plays guitar, sings, whistles through his teeth and writes the music; Rennie plays other stringed instruments, imparts nuggets of mordant wisdom, offers sarcastic words of encouragement to her spouse and then, as band lyricist, puts (usually twisted) words in his mouth: mental illness and dysfunctional relationships a speciality.

Soothing supporting duo Tiny Ruins went for more innocuous topics, including one bittersweet number about desserts, which they dedicated to their newly forged relationship with Tunnock’s teacakes. In retrospect, their winsome set was like a palate-cleanser before the raw, meaty main course.

The Sparks’ dynamic was something to behold, as they niggled each other affectionately and complemented each other perfectly. Brett tolerated Rennie’s passive-aggressive comments about his appearance; Rennie tolerated Brett’s impulsive setlist deviations. The audience tolerated the occasionally ropey performance.

Musically, The Handsome Family are lo-fi purveyors of alternative country – alternative in that few other musicians would consider the innards of an octopus or the sleep patterns of a crocodile to be fair game for a song – whereas the Sparks have a whole menagerie in their repertoire.

An evening with the Handsome Family sure is an experience to cherish.

Rating: ****