Likewise

Another interesting and enjoyable evening at the Deep End. (If you're wondering why our reviews tend to be of bands at the Deep End, it's because Mike lives very near the place!).

Likewise "Magazine meets Black Sabbath meets Blur"

Fun! (1) Launched into "Anonymous", heavy insistent bass, then raw energy by the gallon. Vocals very good as well. Fuzz guitar, drums, rhymth guitar, yet another guitar. A bit reminiscent of Nirvana in places, and a HUGELY enthusiastic audience. (2) Into the second track and this one's a bit different. Riff-based, again high energy, and well-constructed, but the vocals are a bit drowned out by the guitars. The break is great, and now the diction and emphasis on lyrics are clear as day - reminiscent vocally in places of Black Sabbath, but with a higher-energy, higher-frequency fuzziness to the guitar, which cuts through like a razor. (3) Track 3 and it just gets better. On this one the bass comes to the fore, not because it's louder, but because of its "walking" nature, drawing the tune onwards, and more relevant in this sense than the vocals. A slower number, title not given. (4) Wow - I'd swear I was listening to Magazine! Style is spot on, though the vocals are faster. (5) Frantic lead intro; very much the heaviest so far. The drummer is going nuts as well; then settles down, and this time the vocal line is slower than the guitars. (6) "Teenage Kicks" - a very passable rendition (and the second time I've heard this covered in as many weeks). (7) New song, no title yet. Slower, more contemplative beginning - a ballad. Then insistent tripping drumbeat (vocals still balladic in the classic rock style). I'd add layers of soaring lead guitar by about half-way through, but obviously they're limited by the number of players available. Only half as long as it ought to be, this track. (8) Omigawd - the audience have started head-banging at the front!!! Could easily imagine you're listening to one of the majors. Again, Black Sabbath comes to mind (except the vocals). (9) LOL - an old tradition this one - Bring Your Own Heckler. Excellent development - given the limited number of players and instruments, they use their instruments very creatively, introducing a wide range of sounds into a single track. Definitely an album track this one. (10) God, how many tracks are they gonna play?! "The Second Best" - completely different style, punkier, still bass-dominated with drum insistency. Gets heavier as it goes along, and again I'm reminded of Magazine - even down to the slow-rising octaves with drum-and-rhythm backing. (11) "Blue Blood" - erm, ...., Blur-like? And a guy in the audience is stage-diving from one of the tables...