Anyone attending an Immediate gig over the past year or so will not be surprised. The band; David Hedderman, Conor O'Brien, Peter Toomey and Barra Heavey, always came across as top heavy, all chiefs and no Indians. With each member having the ability to play each instrument, the band took the opportunity to showcase this ability after almost every song of their live set.
That’s not to criticize the band for being multi-talented, but it often felt like each member wanted to be the front man, and came across as bored when not in that position. For the most part this didn’t take away from the quality of their live shows, but there was always something in the background, an itch that one day was going to have to be scratched. However, while it’s a pity that a band with such promise has met its demise, their loss may well be our gain.
Four, clearly talented musicians, now have the opportunity to find a new vehicle with which to express themselves. Where In Towers & Clouds suffered from having too many influences, future releases by ex-Immediate members may well have a clearer sense of direction as the others interests and influences no longer need to be addressed.
Fans of The Immediate need look no further that the demise of Juniper for inspiration.
Damien Rice has gone on to find his own voice, one that, judging by album sales, has been heard by an awful lot of people that may never have bought a Juniper record. While not as successful,
Bell X1 have also, since Junipers demise, carved out a loyal fanbase of their own, and, more importantly,
Paul Noonan and Co. are now making the music they want to make.
Of course, the opposite may well happen. Perhaps The Immediate equal more than the sum of their parts, and without each other the magic may is just not there. Either way, instead of getting the chance to hear one Immediate follow up album, we may get to hear four; surely some good must come from that?